BELTON, Texas – The Trinity women's basketball team (2-6) dropped the first game of the UMHB Christmas Classic to 14th-ranked East Texas Baptist University (ETBU) (11-1) by a score of 70-58.
The weaknesses that have lost games for Tigers all year were evident again today, as they shot just 33% from the field and grabbed 30 rebounds to ETBU's 41. Despite any struggles, the game was well within reach until the final period, as turnover troubles haunted ETBU, giving the ball up 20 times to Trinity's 10.
Kylie Minter (League City, Texas / Clear Springs) led the Tigers in scoring with 19 points and 3 steals on 59% (5-9) shooting from deep.
Emma Winans (Austin, Texas / Vandegrift) also found herself in the double-digits, recording 10 points, 4 rebounds (3 offensive) and 2 blocks off the bench.
The Rundown
Early shooting struggles were a problem for the Tigers early, as ETBU jumped out to an 11-3 lead with 6:10 to play in the first. The Tigers responded with 11 straight points, thanks to Minter's quick 7-point barrage, to take a 14-11 lead with 3:05 to go, their first of the game. Neither team was able to grab hold of things for the remainder of the period, and ETBU took an 18-17 lead heading into the second.
It was a low-scoring, back and forth affair in the second quarter. Despite holding a significant lead in the shooting percentage numbers, making 50% of their shots to Trinity's 28%, ETBU could not create a sizeable lead, and the Tigers took it back with 2:14 left to play, 30-29. They missed four threes in the final two minutes however, and ETBU closed out the half on a quick 5-0 run, leading 34-30 heading into the break.
The game started to open up in the third, as ETBU extended on their short run out of the break, taking a 38-30 lead with 9:03 left to play. They took their first double-digit lead just two minutes later, 44-34. Things were beginning to look bleak for Trinity, but with five minutes left to play, the Tiger offense came back to life, scoring 7 unanswered points that were capped off by a Minter three-pointer to make the score 46-49 with 1:53 to play. ETBU was able to answer back, but the quarter ended with the score manageable for the Tigers, trailing 48-54.
Both teams struggled shooting the ball in the final quarter, but it was the TU Tigers who got the worse of it, making 29% of their shots to ETBU's 33%. For the first half of the period, the lead remained within reach, but a 3:31 scoring drought in the final minutes sealed Trinity's fate. Despite turnover troubles, ETBU scored seven straight to turn a seven-point lead with 5:15 to go into a 68-54 lead with just 2:54 to go. The Tigers couldn't answer back, and ETBU came out on top, 70-58.
Coach Speak
"Mr. Miyagi and Mickey," began Head Coach
Cameron Hill. "The two best corner men in movie history. What 'Daniel-San' had to go through by waxing the cars, sanding the floor, and painting the house, were all irreplaceable steps along his path to realizing that he had become a very good technical fighter. A Champion! Today was a great step, but I think The TOGETHERS are ready to 'learn how punch.' Crane kick comes later. Stay tuned. ONWARD!"
Looking Ahead
The Tigers will cap off the UMHB Christmas Classic tomorrow against the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor (4-8).
