ST. PAUL, Minn. --- The TIU women's basketball team took on the University of Northwestern (MN) Eagles on Friday night in the National Christian College Athletic Association's (NCCAA) North-Central Region Championship Game. After finishing the regular season with a 10-10 record and advancing to the CCAC conference tournament quarterfinals at the end of February, the Trojans looked to extend their season and earn the region's automatic berth to the NCCAA National Tournament next week.

Trinity would jump out to an early 6-2 lead before the Eagles took control with their fast  passing offense off missed Trojan shots. Northwestern dominated from beyond the three-point arc, holding TIU to just two made baskets from long range all game. Aided by 21 Trojan turnovers, Northwestern quickly built their lead to double-digits before a Taylor Hibicke jumper cut the Eagles lead to nine heading into the halftime break, 33-24.

UNW would stretch their lead to as many as 18 points in the third quarter, but the Trojans remained resilient in their fight to continue the season. With the defense creating multiple stops, Trinity was able to establish their game inside and cut their deficit down to as little as five points with just under nine minutes to go in regulation. However the Eagles three-point shooting found its groove late, being enough to hold off TIU's late push and hand the Trojans the 66-56 loss.

Alina Jahnke led Trinity with 20 points and nine rebounds in the loss, while Breleigh Gula recorded ten points and seven boards off the bench. Taylor Hibicke notched seven points and nine rebounds, as Brittany Gafare and Carly Scheblo each scored six points 

ADDITIONAL GAME NOTES

• Friday's loss is TIU's first all-time to the Eagles. TIU still leads the series 3-1 despite falling to UNW in their first meeting since 2009.

• TIU's last NCCAA regional championship came during the 2009 season. The Trojans would place eighth at the national tournament that year.

• Trinity was outscored 27-11 off of turnovers in the loss.

• The Trojan bench out performed the Eagles in scoring 16-4, including 11-0 in the third quarter.

• Alina Jahnke set a new career-high in field goals (9) during tonight's loss.

• Taylor Hibicke's four steals tied her career record for most in a game. Hibicke notched four takeaways in four other games this season.

The Trojans end the 2020-21 season with loss with a final record of 11-12.

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.