JOLIET, Ill. --- The Trinity International University women's basketball team took on the eighth-ranked Fighting Saints of the University of St. Francis on Tuesday night in the opening round of the 2020 Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference (CCAC) Tournament at the Sullivan Center. Playing in their first CCAC Tournament game since 2013, TIU looked to get off to a good start against a St. Francis squad that the Trojans fell to just ten days earlier.

The Trojans opened the game up with an 11-0 run to kick off the action in the first three minutes of play, taking advantage of simple mistakes by the Saints. Kassandra Ybarra and Taylor Hibicke would each knock down a shot from beyond the arc as Alina Jahnke found an early rhythm inside the lane.

Leading by seven entering the second quarter, the St. Francis offense began to click with more shot attempts. Despite the uptick in offensive production from their opponents, TIU was able to force nine turnovers and six steals in the opening half with Jahnke and Hibicke combining for 22 of the Trojan's 31 first half points as both teams went into the break tied at 31.

Just as they had done to the Trojans in their last meeting on February 15, the Saints flipped on the switch and dominated the second half, holding TIU to just 21 points, including seven in the third quarter alone. Whereas Trinity shot the ball well in the first 20 minutes, they struggled to shoot the ball above 32% in the second. Despite the strong early start and excellent defensive showing, TIU was unable to match the offensive firepower of the Saints as they dropped their conference tournament opener by a final score of 66-52.

Jahnke led the Trojans with a double-double of 14 points, 11 rebounds, and three blocked shots in the loss, while Hibicke recorded 12 points. Off the bench, Krystal Walker scored nine points.

Despite the loss and elimination from the conference tournament, the Trojans still will get the chance to continue playing into March after qualifying for the NCCAA postseason, thanks to an 18-12 regular season record. Further information regarding a potential NCCAA North-Central Regional Playoff Game or bid to NCCAA National Tournament is expected to be announced in the coming day. 

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.