Washington's 24 points leads Trojans over Ashford
Greg Gorham
Box Score Box Score | Season Stats
DEERFIELD, Ill. -- In their return to the Meyer Sports Complex after a three-game road trip, the Trinity International Trojans held the Ashford Saints without a field goal over the final four minutes to secure a 55-42 win on Tuesday night. Senior Montanique Washington led the TIU attack with a season-high 24 points and ten rebounds, as the Trojans picked up their third win of the season and ended a three-game slide.
Trinity International (3-6) took an early 3-2 lead with a three-point play from Abigail Hemmeger in the opening minute, and never trailed the rest of the way. TIU expanded their lead to as much as 13 points, when Clarissa Woodard knocked down a pair of free throws at the 7:16 mark.
The Saints (4-7) would climb back into the game before halftime, closing on a 12-4 run to pull within five. Washington posted 11 points to lead all scorers, along with seven rebounds before the break.
Ashford would close to within three points to open the second half with a layup from AU's Jessica Mlachnik, but freshman Trojan Basha Ramsey answered on the next possession with a bucket of her own. The Saints would make it a one-possession game two more times in the opening stages of the second half, before Daja Johnson and Washington teamed up for back-to-back treys, making it a 40-31 TIU lead with 12:45 to play.
A quick 4-0 run would cut the Trojan lead to 45-41 with 4:03 remaining, before Trinity closed the door for good. Ashford would score just one more point the rest of the way, while Ramsey closed out the game with three big defensive rebounds in the last few Saints possessions to secure a 55-42 win.
Washington finished the night shooting 10-for-18 from the field, as her 24 points matches the Trojan's top single-game scoring performance. The senior scored 24 earlier in the year, against Goshen on Nov. 15. Washington also picks up her first double-double of the year, and the fourth by any Trojan player this season.
Woodard also finished in double-figures, scoring 10 points on 4-of-8 shooting, while pulling down six rebounds.
The Trojans continue the homestand this Saturday, December 7, when they host Trinity Christian at 5:30 p.m.
