Trinity Women Qualify for SCAC Tournament with Win Over Southwestern
San Antonio -- The Trinity Tigers women qualified for the SCAC Championship Tournament with an 80-72 victory Friday night over the Southwestern Pirates in Sams Gym.
Trinity (12-12, 9-7 SCAC), which won its third straight game, will compete in the eight-team tournament next Friday through Sunday, Feb. 27, at Jackson, Miss. Southwestern (16-9, 8-8) previously earned a berth in the tourney. The Pirates beat the Tigers 65-43 last Dec. 3 in Georgetown, Texas.
Tiger senior guard Danielle Hubenak (San Antonio/Churchill) matched her team season-high of 31 points, in 39 minutes of playing time. Hubenak shot 9-22 from the field, 4-12 in 3-point range, sank 9-10 free throws, pulled in five rebounds, and dished out two assists.
Junior forward Abby Dietert (Cibolo, Texas/Steele) contributed 14 points, six rebounds, five assists, and five steals. First-year forward Libby Kruse (Minnetrista, N.M./Orona) recorded a double-double of 10 points and 11 rebounds.
First-year guard Nicolette Halbleib (Aurora, Colo./Grandview) also scored 10 points, and made three steals.
Trinity led 34-25 at halftime, on a 3-pointer by Hubenak at the buzzer. The second half was tighter, which Southwestern outshooting Trinity 52 percent to 42 percent. The Pirates made 3-8 beyond the arc in the second half, and the Tigers hit 1-10.
Southwestern's Shae Seagraves had a double-double of 21 points and 11 rebounds, while Chelsea Leeder scored 20 points and grabbed eight rebounds.
Trinity shot 36.9 percent (31-84) from the field, and Southwestern hit 41.1 percent (23-56). The Tigers forced 32 Pirates turnovers, while committing 14. Southwestern led 52-42 in total rebounds, but Trinity held a 20-17 advantage in offensive boards.
The Tigers wrap up their regular season Saturday by hosting the University of Dallas at 5 p.m. in a non-conference game. Trinity is hosting a WBCA Pink Zone night, where fans are asked to wear pink to raise awareness for the fight against breast cancer.
