WATERTOWN, Wisc.. --- The TIU women's basketball team wrapped up the 2020-21 regular season on Saturday afternoon as they visited the Maranatha Baptist Sabercats in non-conference action. After an 11-point win at Holy Cross on Wednesday night to conclude conference play, the Trojans looked to end the regular season with a win to finish the year with a .500 record.

The Trojans set the pace of the game early in strong fashion with an 11-0 run in the first four minutes. TIU could capitalize throughout the game thanks to their pressing defense and ability to turn MBU's turnovers into points. Trinity would hold the Sabercats to just eight points in both of the first two periods as Taylor Hibicke dropped 11 points in the opening half to take a commanding 37-16 lead into the halftime break.

Brittany Gafare got into the action in the third quarter after notching four points in the first half. While both teams rebounded well, it would be TIU who led the game with 15 offensive boards and 16 second chance points who would capitalize. Alina Jahnke would also put together another dominating defensive performance at the net, blocking five shots as the Trojans rolled to a 22-point victory, 66-44.

Hibicke and Gafare both ended the day with a pair of double-doubles in the win, with Hibicke scoring 15 points with 12 rebounds, and 13 points and 12 boards for Gafare. Jahnke also notched 13 points with eight rebounds, as Amber Reynolds recorded 11 points off of three made three-point baskets.

ADDITIONAL GAME NOTES

• With Saturday's win, the Trojans improved to 6-0 all-time against the Sabercats. TIU previously defeated MBU at home back on Jan. 18, 58-48 at Van Dixhorn Arena.

• Finishing the regular season with a 10-10 record, the Trojans secured their first set of back-to-back seasons with 10+ wins for the first time since the 2011-12 and 2012-13 seasons.

• Trinity outscored the Sabercats 24-6 off of turnovers.

• For the first time this season, TIU's defense held their opponent to zero made three-point field goals.

• Alina Jahnke's five blocked shots give her 81 for the season, breaking the program's 35 year old single-season blocking record, previously held by Jenni Hettinger, who blocked 80 shots during the 1985-86 season

• Brittany Gafare's double-double in the win was the first of her career. Taylor Hibicke's double-double performance was the third of her career, and first of the season.

• Hibicke set new career-highs in rebounds (12) and offensive rebounds (4) in the win.

UP NEXT

With the regular season now in the books, the Trojans (10-10) turn their attention to the postseason and the CCAC Women's Basketball Tournament, which is scheduled to begin on Tuesday, February 23. Due to scheduling complications created by COVID-19, this year's tournament will be seeded using a point-based system rather than traditional standings and will feature all CCAC teams. 

The final tournament seedings and pairings are scheduled to be released by the league on Sunday, February 21.

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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.