BANNOCKBURN, Ill. --- The TIU women's basketball team welcomed the Cougars of St. Xavier University to Van Dixhorn Arena on Wednesday in non-conference action. Coming off a loss at Governors State last Saturday, the Trojans looked to rebound and earn their first win in league play.

Facing off against a high-powered Cougar team, the Trojans came out aggressively on offense matching SXU shot-for-shot in the first four minutes. After Taylor Hibicke tied the game at 11 points a piece on a three-point shot, Saint Xavier went on a 14-0 run to take control of the game, backed by a swarming defense that forced 22 Trinity turnovers and stole the ball 17 times.

After falling behind 50-31 at halftime, the Trojans saw excellent bench play from Louisa Schmidt and Breleigh Gula, who each notched double-digit points. Amber Reynolds knocked down two of TIU's four baskets from beyond the arc. However, the 20th ranked Cougars continued to thrive by scoring off turnovers, rolling to a 98-63 win over Trinity.

Daniela Lopez and Schmidt led the Trojans with 11 points each in the loss, while Gula scored ten points in 17 minutes of play. Hibicke scored nine points, as Alina Jahnke recorded ten rebounds and three blocks.

ADDITIONAL GAME NOTES

• Saint Xavier won their 22nd consecutive game against the Trojans, extending their 22-0 all-time series lead against TIU.

• Claire Austin and CCAC Player of the Week Brianna Flayter both scored 23 points in the game.

• Tonight's game was scheduled as non-conference. TIU will visit SXU in Chicago on Feb. 10, 2021 in conference play. 

• Daniela Lopez's 11 points and Louisa Schmidt's ten points are both career-highs.

• Breleigh Gula's ten point effort is a season-high, passing her previous high water mark of nine points at IU-Northwest on Dec. 7, 2020.

• The Cougars dominated the game in points off turnovers, out-scoring Trinity 32-6.

• TIU's bench out-scored Saint Xavier 27-20.
   

UP NEXT

The Trojans (2-5) will return to action on Saturday, January 16 as they host the Lynx of Lincoln College in conference play at Van Dixhorn Arena. Tip-off is scheduled for 1:00pm CT and can be watched LIVE on the Trojan Sports Network.

Visit TIUtrojans.com to stay up to date with the latest TIU women's basketball news and schedule updates.

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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.