GARY, Ind. --- After a season opening win last Friday night at Judson, the TIU women's basketball team looked to start the season with back-to-back victories as they visited the Indiana University-Northwest Redhawks on Monday night in non-conference play.

The Redhawks, entering the game with a 1-5 record and riding a four-game skid following a loss in their previous game to IU-South Bend, took control of the game early, thanks to their height, speed and ability to move the ball. Trinity struggled to maintain control of the ball and stop their opponents as they gave up the ball 12 times, and 23 points off turnovers.

Free throws also were a struggle for TIU, hitting three of eight attempts in the first half. Despite an eight point run to close the half with two three-point baskets from Carly Scheblo and a layup from Kelsey Kelley, the Trojans faced a 13-point deficit to end the first half, trailing 46-33.

TIU's defense came out strong in the second half, holding the Redhawk offense to just 11 points in the third period, while the Trojans chipped away at the IU-Northwest lead. While the Redhawk lead was cut from 13 points down to four, IU-Northwest continued to dominate on second chance points, 13-2, despite an improved half from Trinity. The Trojans would not be able to overcome the strong late game shooting, dropping their first game of the season by a score of 77-67.

Scheblo led the Trojans with a team-high 19 points, including four made three-point baskets. Jahnke scored 11 points and recorded one block, while Breleigh Gula notched nine points off the bench. Daniela Lopez led TIU with seven rebounds, with Taylor Hibicke dishing out six assists.

ADDITIONAL GAME NOTES

• Monday night's loss snaps TIU's two game winning streak against the Redhawks, giving IU-Northwest their first win against the Trojans since late in the 2013-14 season. Trinity still leads the all-time series 4-3.

• The Trojans and Redhawks will meet one more time this season, as the two teams face off in CCAC play on January 13, 2021 at TIU's Van Dixhorn Arena.

• Alina Jahnke has now recorded a blocked shot in 12 consecutive games, dating back to last season.

• Tonight's loss marks the sixth consecutive season that the Trojans have begun the season with a 1-1 record, a streak going back to the 2015-16 season.

• Scheblo's 19-point game, and Gula's nine-point performances are the second highest scoring games of their young careers. Scheblo notched 23 points against Calumet St. Joseph last December, while Gula scored 11 at home vs. Olivet Nazarene this past January.

• The Redhawks had four players in double-digit scoring figures. Breanna Boles led with a game-high 21 points, with 15 from Sarah Martin. Michaela Schmidt and Samantha Martin each scored 11 points.

•  TIU was out-rebounded 32-30, including 10-4 on offensive boards.

UP NEXT

The Trojans (1-1) will return to action this coming Thursday, December 10 as they host the Governors State Jaguars in non-conference action at Van Dixhorn Arena in the first home game of the season. Tip-off is scheduled for 5:30pm CT and can be watched on the Trojan 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.