Trojan Women's Basketball fall to #8 Cardinal Stritch
Greg Gorham
Box Score Box Score | Season Stats
DEERFIELD, Ill. -- Two players finished in double figures, as the Trinity International Trojans hung around, but couldn't quite take command over the No. 8 Cardinal Stritch Wolves, 64-50, Wednesday night in the Meyer Sports Complex.
Senior Clarissa Woodard led the Trojans (3-18, 0-13 CCAC) with 11 points on 4-of-8 shooting, while sophomore JaToya Jackson contributed 10 points in her first start of the season. TIU took an early 2-0 lead when Woodard scored the game's first points at the 18:42 mark of the first half. After the Wolves (21-3, 11-2 CCAC) answered on the next possession, Bri'ana Rowland edged the Trojans ahead once again over three minutes later.
Back-to-back three-pointers by CSU's Nateah Beimborn put Cardinal Stritch in the lead for good, as the Wolves held an 11-4 advantage with 14 minutes to play until halftime.
The Trojans were unable to take back the lead, but did manage to hang within a possession or two of the Wolves throughout much of the first half. Stritch's largest first half lead came on a layup with 4:18 to play that gave the Wolves a 33-18 edge. Trinity International were able to briefly narrow that back down to single digits on a jumpr from Amari Parham, but two free throws for the Wolves with six seconds remaining made it a 37-26 halftime score.
Cardinal Stritch were seeminly in command of the game through the first portions of the second half, until a quick 5-0 run pulled the Trojans to within eight points with five minutes to play. Rachel Carter scored one of her two field goals of the night to make it a 52-44 game. After both sides traded free throws, Woods scored on a fast-break layup at the 3:48 mark, inching TIU closer, 54-46.
The Wolves put the game away from that point, outscoring TIU 10-4 in the closing minutes to earn a 64-50 decision. After shooting 40.7% (11-27) in the first half, the Trojans went cold, going just 29.2% (7-24) after the break.
Sophomore Kiana Rowland also got her first start of the season, recording seven rebounds and two points on 1-of-2 shooting from the field.
The Trojans hit the road this Saturday, when they take on Trinity Christian. Tipoff against the Trolls in Palos Heights, Ill. is set for 1:00 p.m.
