San Antonio, TEXAS – The Trinity women's basketball team (2-5) will head to Belton this Wednesday for the UMHB Christmas Classic. They will face off first against East Texas Baptist University (9-1), currently receiving votes nationally, before wrapping up against the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor (UMHB) (4-7).
 
The Tigers are currently on a two-game winning streak after defeating Concordia University and Texas Lutheran University at home. They've looked like an entirely different team over these last two outings, shooting the ball at a 52% clip and outrebounding both opponents for the first time this season. After starting the year with five straight losses, Trinity hopes to continue its hot streak heading into their next two matchups.
 
Against the Bulldogs, Skye O'Rourke (Austin, Texas / Vandegrift) led the Tigers in points for the first time this season, posting her first career double-double with 17 points and 10 rebounds on 73% (8-11) shooting, while adding 3 assists and 4 steals to her stat sheet. Kylie Minter (League City, Texas / Clear Springs) was her usual self with the ball in her hand, tallying 15 points and 5 assists on 43% (3-7) shooting from the field and 50% (2-4) from deep. Maddie Mueller (Houston, Texas / Concordia Lutheran) scored 14 points to go with a career-high 4 assists, connecting on 56% (5-9) shooting from the field and 50% (4-8) from deep. Jailyn Martin (Ashburn, Va. / Virginia Academy) was a key component of the Tigers' effectiveness on the glass, grabbing a team-best 7 rebounds, 5 of them on offense.
 
Preview – Tiger Basketball > Finals Season
 
On the East Texas Baptist University Tigers: ETBU was bounced out of the most recent D3hoops.com top 25, but is still one of the top teams receiving votes and holds the distinction of being the highest-ranked team in Texas. The Tigers have been dominant so far this season, outscoring their opponents by an average of 16.7 points per game. Their success has hinged on shooting numbers, as the three times they've shot below 40% constituted their sole loss and their two one-possession wins. Their main statistical advantage thus far has come from forcing missed shots and controlling the glass, as the Tigers are outshooting opponents by an 8% margin and winning the glass by an average of 13 rebounds per game.
 
ETBU is led by sophomore forward Macy Jones, who has used her 6'4'' frame to patrol the paint this season to the tune of 12.4 points, 6.4 rebounds and 1.6 blocks per game. She has three double-doubles on the year, including a 13-point, 11-rebound outing in the Tigers' most recent win against Centenary College. Junior forward Hannah Ayala completes the team's rebounding attack, averaging a near double-double of 9.1 points and 10.2 rebounds per game. ETBU's guard play is not to be underestimated, as sophomore guard Marley Keith averages 10.2 points, 2.8 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 2.3 assists per game, despite losing the ball an average of 3.6 times per game. Senior guard Tiffany Bickford completes their backcourt as a key defensive asset for the Tigers, posting 9.8 points, 4.5 assists and 2.0 steals per game.
 
On the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor Crusaders: UMHB has lived and died by low-scoring, defensive battles so far this season. They've struggled shooting the ball, as evidenced by their scoring numbers last time out in a 47-48 OT loss to George Fox University. The Crusaders shot just 27% from the field and 7% from deep. They've been relatively evenly matched with their opponents, with no significant gaps in any major statistical categories. They're shooting a middle-of-the-road 37% from the field and 29% from three, but are averaging just 60.2 points per game. All four of their wins came in the only game in which they shot over 40% from the field.
 
The Crusaders are led by senior guard Rachel Okoye, who averages 13.3 points, 7.6 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game. She is tenacious without the ball in her hands, posting three games with double-digit rebounding numbers and averaging 2.7 steals per game. Amillion Fowler is the other half of UMHB's rebound-capable backcourt, averaging 11.2 points and 6.3 rebounds per game. Both players have struggled with turnovers, combining for an average of 7.7 giveaways per game.
 
Looking Ahead
 
If one Christmas classic wasn't enough, Trinity will make its rounds to its second one from Dec. 29-30 at ETBU, where it will take on the Tigers and Crusaders once again, although in reverse order.