BANNOCKBURN, Ill. --- The TIU women's basketball team tipped off the 2019-2020 season with a pair of home games at Van Dixhorn Arena on Friday and Saturday night.

TIU began their new season under third-year head coach Irvin Jerry as they welcomed the Great Lakes Christian Crusaders on Friday night. The Lady Trojans opened their first home game of the year with a 17 point victory, 87-70. 

Freshman guard Taylor Hibicke led the team with 24 points after playing 38 minutes on the floor. Dana Percival grabbed 14 rebounds, while Alina Jahke also blocked two shots. TIU shot very well in their opening game of the season, sinking 76% of their shots from the floor while holding the Crusaders to just 55%. 

It was a quick turnaround for the Trojans as they hosted the Northwestern Ohio Racers less than 24 hours later. The Racers jumped out to an early lead and wouldn't look back en route to a 78-53 win over TIU, despite a stellar offensive performance by the Trojans in the second quarter. It would be the Northwestern Ohio that would win the rebounding battle, particularly on defense that would play a factor into a limited number of possessions for TIU.

Jahnke led the Trojans in scoring with 15 points, while Carly Scheblo also cracked double-digits with 12 points. Kassandra Ybarra would lead TIU in rebounding with six, as well as four assists.The Trojans were held to shooting 16-63 from the field and 2-27 for the three point range while the Racers excelled in both categories.

The Trojans (1-1) return to action on Friday, November 1 at home as they host the Trojan Fall Classic inside Van Dixhorn Arena. TIU will take on the Emmaus Eagles at 5:00PM on Friday, followed by the Indiana-Kokomo Cougars on Saturday, November 2 at 4:30PM. 

Trinity International University is a comprehensive, national university affiliated with the Evangelical Free Church of America and located in Bannockburn, Illinois, 25 miles north of Chicago. TIU educates men and women to engage in God's redemptive work in the world by cultivating academic excellence, Christian faithfulness and lifelong learning.