History is earned. Perfection is taken.
The Taylor women’s basketball team remained perfect at home, 17-0. With their win against rival Indiana Wesleyan University they finished a historic regular season 28-3.
Every single point that the Trojans scored was done so by one of the five seniors, all of whom started. Despite going into the third quarter only up by one point, the Trojans dug deep and it paid off as they outplayed, outhustled and outscored the Wildcats in a 23-11 4th quarter.
“This group of seniors is special,” Head Coach Jody Martinez said. “It’s been a great journey from not knowing them at all, not even recruiting them, to where they completely and fully buy in.”
Senior Becca Buchs had herself a day, scoring 27 and earning her second Crossroads Player of the Week on the season.
Not to mention Buchs also hit the game-winning three against Mount Vernon Nazarene University, dropping 28 on the night. Seniors Jamie Netzley and Abby Buchs also were both a rebound shy of reaching double doubles with 11 points with 9 rebounds, and 12 points with 9 rebounds, respectively.
Against Indiana Wesleyean, Becca Buchs shot 7-11 from behind the arc, totaling 112 3-pointers for the season, breaking her own record of 3-pointers in a season. Two of the seven threes were back to back, sparking the electric 17-0 run in the 4th quarter.
“Before the 4th quarter, Coach really challenged us to play hard,” said senior forward Haley Stratman.
And play hard they did. There are few stats that can accurately quantify hustle and hard work. But looking where the Trojans have struggled throughout the season, in points allowed and turnovers, both were key to their win.
The Trojans have been allowing 60 points per game to opponents throughout the season. Against Indiana Wesleyan they allowed 49. The Trojans have also had a hard time taking care of the ball at times this season, but against Indiana Wesleyan they had 9 turnovers, and forced 18 from the Wildcats.
The Trojans have shot the 3 at a remarkable rate on the season, ranking No. 1 in the NAIA for 3-pt percentage at 40.9% and No. 2 in the NAIA for 3-pt field goals per game at 11.8.
However, the game was characterized by their aggressive team defense that held Indiana Wesleyan University well under their season average of 68 points to 49.
“We played really confident and aggressive,” Buchs said. “It’s the commitment that coach Martinez makes to us, it’s what makes the difference.”
The Trojans faced Huntington on Friday in the Crossroads League Semifinals. With a win, they will advance to the Crossroads League Finals today.
