BANNOCKBURN, Ill. --- The Trinity International University women's basketball team battled the St. Ambrose Fighting Bees on Saturday afternoon in Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference (CCAC) action at Van Dixhorn Arena. Coming off a narrow three-point home win over Cardinal Stritch earlier in the week, the Trojans looked to string together their first consecutive wins in three weeks, plus avenge their 68-82 loss to the Bees on the road in Davenport back in November.

TIU jumped out to a solid start in the first quarter on an 8-3 run to begin the game. Backed by excellent defense and five steals, the Trojans slowed down the Bees offense to keep pace. By feeding  Alina Jahnke inside, TIU was able to establish an early paint game as they trailed by two at the end of the first.

SAU's defense locked down the paint in the second period as the Trojans were only able to find the basket three times, once from a three-point shot by Carly Scheblo. The Bees were able to use their quick ball movement to find wide open shots and pull away with a 24-10 period to enter the halftime break with a 43-27 lead over TIU.

Facing a 16-point deficit, the Trojans went to work, trying to re-establish their inside game. Jahkne, in foul trouble was able to find the basket, as did Breleigh Gula off the bench as Krystal Walker and Kassandra Ybarra both found success from mid-range. 

St. Ambrose would heavily defend the three-point line and rely on their inside play throughout the game. TIU was held to 31% from beyond the arc on a five-for-16 shooting day. SAU's quick transition from defense to offense, and ability to grab the crucial offensive rebounds played a large factor as the Bees defeated the Trojans by a final score of 88-69.

Despite playing in danger of fouling out, Jahkne finished the day with a team-high 18 points and four rebounds in the loss. Scheblo would hit three of TIU's five baskets from downtown as she recorded 13 points, while Taylor Hibicke would notch ten points. Off the bench Walker, scored nine points off the bench.

The Trojans return to action on Wednesday, January 29 as they host the Trolls of Trinity Christian at Van Dixhorn Arena. Tip-off is scheduled for 5:30PM.

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.