ELGIN, Ill. --- 272 days after their last game was played, Trinity International University returned to competition on Friday night as the Trojan women's basketball team opened the 2020-21 season on the road against the Judson Eagles in a non-conference matchup. The game marked the first official competition for TIU since the 2019-20 athletic season was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Much of the first game of the new season would be an offensive challenge for the Trojans, who shot just 37% from the field. Trinity and Judson would combine for nine points each in the first period before the Trojans opened the second period up on a 6-0 run. The Eagles would close the gap with a three-point basket in the final minute of the half to allow the Trojans to enter halftime up 22-17.

Judson came alive out of the break with five points from Daija Pruitt and four from leading scorer McKaylie Kray. The Trojans shot only 2-18 from beyond the three-point arc all game, but were able to hold off Judson fast breaks and rallies thanks to a stellar defensive effort, backed by five blocked shots, eight steals and forced 20 Judson turnovers. 

Despite the tough shooting night, Trinity came alive in the fourth after falling behind by six points in the previous frame. The Trojans forced 11 Judson fouls in the final ten minutes and attempted 16 free throws. While the Trojans were also out rebounded in the game, TIU controlled the boards in the fourth, rallying to take a late lead. A late steal and free throw by Brittany Gafare with three seconds to go gave Trinity a three-point lead, allowing the defense to hold on and give the Trojans the 51-48 win to kick off the season.

Alina Jahnke led the night with a game-high 15 points, four rebounds and three blocked shots. Taylor Hibicke notched nine points, a team-high eight boards, two assists, two blocks and three steals, while Daniela Lopez recorded ten points on a 4-7 shooting night in her collegiate debut. In her first game since the 2018-19 season, Gafare notched seven points and six rebounds.

ADDITIONAL GAME NOTES

• The victory is TIU's 11th all-time against the Eagles, and second consecutive. Judson leads the series 18-11.

• The Trojans and Eagles will meet one more time this season, as the two teams face off in CCAC play on February 3, 2021 at TIU's Van Dixhorn Arena.

• Trinity has now won three consecutive season opening games dating back to the 2018-19 campaign (10/27/18 @ Emmaus - 10/25/19 vs. Great Lakes Christian).

• With the win, head coach Irvin Jerry is now 6-2 all-time in season-openers. This includes a 3-1 opening day record while coaching at San Diego Christian.

• Alina Jahnke's three blocks are the most by a Trojan player in a season opening game since Breanne Short blocked five shots for TIU in the 2015-16 opener vs. Concordia (MI).

• Judson's 48 points scored were the fewest allowed by the Trojan defense in a season opener since the 2007-08 season against St. Ambrose. TIU won that game 109-37.

• McKaylie Kray led the Eagles with 12 points. Daija Pruitt notched a game-high 12 rebounds, eight coming on defense, while Kaelya Willis committed a game-high five turnovers.

UP NEXT

The Trojans (1-0) will return to action this coming Monday, December 7 as they travel to Gary to take on the Indiana University-Northwest Redhawks in non-conference action from the Savannah Center. Tip-off is scheduled for 6:00pm CT and can be watched on the Redhawk Sports Network.

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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.