SAN ANTONIO – The Trinity women's basketball team (2-5) won their second straight today at home against Texas Lutheran University (4-4) by a score of 78-70. Tonight was a rematch of last season's SCAC title game, with the home Tigers getting their revenge this time around. Building off the momentum from Wednesday's blowout win against Concordia University, the Tigers look like they could be turning things around in a big way.

Shot-making and rebounding were strengths for Trinity once again as the Tigers look to reverse course on two sides of the game that haunted them in their first five matchups. They shot 53% from the field and 47% from three, which ended up being the biggest difference maker in the win as the Bulldogs shot just 36% from the field, including 17% in the final frame of play. The two teams were about even on rebounding numbers, as the Tigers grabbed 41 to Texas Lutheran's 40. Against a Bulldog team led by a strong duo down low, Trinity won the inside battle, scoring 36 points in the paint to Texas Lutheran's 22. 

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. She shot 73% (8-11) from the field and added 3 assists and 4 steals to cement what was a dominant game across the board. Kylie Minter (League City, Texas / Clear Springs) had 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. One notable performance on the glass came from Jailyn Martin (Ashburn, Va. / Virginia Academy), who grabbed a team-best 7 rebounds, 5 of them on offense.

The Rundown 
The first quarter was a back-and-forth affair with neither team able to grab a meaningful lead. The Bulldogs were up early on efficient shooting from three, taking a 10-4 lead with 6:54 left to play in the quarter. The Tigers then went on a quick scoring barrage, scoring 9 straight points to take a 13-10 lead with 4:54 to go. Leads were exchanged six times in total in the period, as no side was able to take hold of momentum. Thanks to lights-out shooting from deep, making 71% (5-7) of their threes, Trinity held on to a slight 26-24 lead heading into the second. 

In the second, the Tigers looked as if they might secure the lead for good. Two quick Mueller three-pointers had Trinity in front 32-24 with 8:56. Her eleven points in the quarter were crucial in keeping her team out front. With 4:05 left to play, an O'Rourke layup stretched the lead to double-digits for the first time, 41-31. The Bulldogs fought their way back immediately, cutting the lead to four at its lowest point. Three late free throws from Emma Winans (Austin, Texas / Vandegrift) kept the Tigers leading 46-41 heading into halftime.

For the first eight minutes of the third quarter, the momentum was firmly on the Trinity side. Halfway through the period, the lead was back to double digits, as two quick Ivory Scott (Waco, Texas / Waco) layups put the Tigers ahead 60-48. In the final minutes of the period, five straight empty possessions hurt them badly, and the Bulldogs went on a 9-0 run in just two minutes to cut the lead to two heading into the fourth, 64-62.

In the final quarter, Texas Lutheran couldn't take the lid off the hoop, and Trinity pulled away for the last time. With 6:17, the Bulldogs pulled ahead 69-68 due to early turnover trouble from the Tigers. Texas Lutheran went scoreless in the final five minutes of the game, and the home team closed things out to get their second straight win. The Tigers closed out the frame with eight unanswered points to take the 78-70 win.

Coach Speak
"Several years back we made 'The Avalanche' t-shirt," began Head Coach Cameron Hill. "The message was simple: a snowflake is one of nature's most delicate creations but consider for a moment what they can become when they stick together! We hooped tonight, no doubt. But on behalf of the women's basketball team, we want to shout out Volleyball, Football, and Men's Soccer for what they're all doing this week! Incredible path you've cut! Together Tigers is bigger than all of us! Onward!"

Looking Ahead 
The Tigers will be on the court again on Dec. 17 on the road at No. 23 East Texas Baptist University (7-1).