BANNOCKBURN, Ill. --- The Trinity International University women's basketball team played host to Emmaus Bible College Eagles and Indiana University Kokomo Cougars over the weekend at Van Dixhorn Arena as part of the Trojan Fall Classic.

In Friday night's game against the Eagles, TIU dominated from the floor, shooting 71% from the field in the first period alone and holding Emmaus to ten points. Alina Jahke and Taylor Hibicke combined to be rebounding for the Trojans as they worked to pick up loose balls after missed Eagle shots. Despite being outscored in the second quarter, TIU held a 33-23 halftime lead.

The late second half saw the Trojans battle inside the paint with Hibicke and Ybarra fighting for layups. Gina Loy was able to hit a number of crucial jump shots to help the Trojans put together a dominant 30 point fourth period, en route to a 84-63 win over the Eagles. Jahke led TIU in scoring with 20 points in the win, while Hibicke totaled six rebounds and seven assists.

In Saturday's game against Indiana Kokomo, the Trojans would find themselves facing a fast paced Cougar team with quick speed and agility. 

Much of the early game against the Cougars was defensive based with both teams ending the first period tied at 13. Kassandra Ybarra would record a number of her game-high seven steals early in the game, but the Trojans would be unable to capitalize on several key turnovers. The Cougars would take a 31-29 lead into the halftime break.

In the third, TIU struggled to find the bottom of the net, shooting only 23% from the field and being held to nine points. While Janhke and Hibicke were able to find good inside shots, and Krystal Walker and Ybarra hit a set of baskets from beyond the arc, it was not enough to slow down the speed and quick ball movement of the Cougars, who would hold off TIU to win the game 69-58. Three Trojans would score in double-digit figures led by Ybarra's 19 points, followed by Hibicke's 16 points and four rebounds, and Jahnke's 15 points and four boards.

The Trojans return to the floor to begin conference play on Wednesday, November 6 as they visit the Saint Xavier Cougars at 5:00PM.

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.