BANNOCKBURN, Ill. --- The TIU women's basketball team returned home to Van Dixhorn Arena on Monday night as they welcomed the Indiana University Northwest Redhawks to town in Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference (CCAC) play. After posting consecutive wins for the first time this season following a road win at Emmaus on Friday, the Trojans looked to stretch their streak to three games against the Redhawks, who defeated TIU back on December 7, 2020 in non-conference play.

Defense would be the name of the game for Trinity against IU-Northwest, who were playing in their first game since December due to COVID-19 protocols. While the offense was a bit slow to click, TIU's defense locked down, holding the Redhawks to 28% shooting from the floor in the opening period. The Trojans picked it up in the second quarter with Alina Jahnke finding success with her free throw line jumper and her ever dominant shot blocking ability. IU-Northwest struggled to find rhythm in their attack, often using up much of their play clock and turning the ball over on shot clock violations.

After holding a 30-20 halftime lead, the Trojans found trouble in the third period as Meghan Long found momentum for the Redhawks. Held to just four total rebounds in the quarterm Trinity relied on Daniela Lopez in the paint and Taylor Hibicke from mid-range to keep the game in hand as IU-Northwest cut the lead to three. The Trojan defense made their biggest stand of the season in the fourth, completely shutting the Redhawk offense, holding them to just four points in the period on 15% shooting. Amber Reynolds drained two of her four made three-point shots in the final ten minutes as Trinity picked up their third consecutive victory, 58-43.

Jahnke led TIU with 17 points, seven rebounds and an impressive nine blocked shots. Lopez scored 13 points in the win on 50% shooting and seven assists, while Reynolds notched 12 points.

ADDITIONAL GAME NOTES

• After dropping their last meeting with IU-Northwest in December, TIU improved to 5-3 all-time against the Redhawks.

• The 43 points allowed by the Trojan defense are the fewest allowed in a game this season. They are also the fewest Trinity has allowed since defeating Judson 82-38 on Feb. 5, 2020 in Elgin.

• TIU held the Redhawks to just four points in the fourth quarter, the fewest points allowed in a single period this season.

• The seven turnovers by the Trojans are tied for the fewest allowed in a game this season. TIU also turned the ball over seven times on Jan. 23 at Saint Ambrose.

• Trinity's three consecutive wins is the longest winning streak for the program this season, and the longest since winning five straight last season from Dec. 2, 2019 to Jan. 3, 2020.

• Alina Jahnke's nine blocks break her own single-game school records for most blocked shots in a single game against a CCAC opponent, most in a single home game, and most in a win. She previously broke the records with eight blocks in last week's home win over Trinity Christian. Jahnke also leads the NAIA in blocks per game (4.07).

• Jahnke tied career-highs in tonight's game in steals (2) and field goals made (8).

• Daniela Lopex set career-highs in field goals made (5) and assists in tonight's win.

• Carly Scheblo set a new career high water mark in rebounds (6) in tonight's game.

UP NEXT

The Trojans (6-8) return home on Wednesdayday night, February 3 as they host the Judson Eagles in CCAC play. Tip-off is scheduled for 5:30pm CT from Van Dixhorn Arena 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.