Trojans Fall to No. 6 Indiana Wesleyan

Box Score I Photo Gallery

UPLAND, Ind. – With the score tied at 9-9 ten minutes into the game Wednesday, No. 6 Indiana Wesleyan went on a 15-0 run to grab a big lead in the opening half. The lead was held up, as Taylor women's basketball fell to its cross-county rival 65-47.

Taylor scored the game's first two baskets before Indiana Wesleyan responded. Both sides struggled to take care of the ball and produce points on the offensive end in the early going prior to Indiana Wesleyan's 15-0 spurt that changed the game's outlook.

Taylor was held scoreless by the Wildcats over that six minute stretch, as the nation's No. 4 defense in points-allowed turned Taylor over and forced the Trojans into contested shots. Taylor had 12 turnovers in the opening half and shot just 24 percent from the field, entering the break trailing 32-14.

Taylor went on a 5-0 run to start the second with a three-pointer and basket in the paint by Josie Cobb. The Indiana Wesleyan lead continued to be trimmed to just nine points by the 16:39 mark, as Jackie Osenbaugh rattled off six straight points, two buckets coming via the fast break.

That would be the closest Taylor would come however for the remainder of the contest, as Indiana Wesleyan's Emma Stahl stopped the TU momentum with two driving baskets in the paint. The Wildcats then proceeded to go on a 7-0 run not soon after, highlighted by five points from Carlee Cottrell.

Taylor shot 35.8 percent from the floor in the defeat, compared to 45.6 percent shooting from the Wildcats. Indiana Wesleyan was able to find quality shots from up close, scoring 44-of-65 points from the painted area.

Indiana Wesleyan won the turnover battle, as Taylor was forced into 20 giveaways in the game to 13 for the Wildcats. Taylor was able to outrebound Indiana Wesleyan 39-32, but it was not enough to come all the way back from the 18-point deficit at the half time whistle.

Katrina Blackmon had 18 points, nine rebounds, three assists and two steals to lead the way for Indiana Wesleyan, while Cottrell finished with 15 points on 2-of-5 shooting from deep. Erika Isham contributed nine points off the bench, while Stahl and Jessica Brown each added six.

Osenbaugh had her third consecutive double-double to pace Taylor, as the junior finished with 16 points on 8-of-12 shooting to go along with 11 rebounds and two assists. Cobb was the only other Trojan to reach double-figure scoring, as she knocked in 3-of-7 from beyond the arc. Taylor Degenkolb sunk two three-pointers to finish with six points, and Erinn Behn grabbed eight rebounds.

Taylor (15-12, 8-7 CL) now sits tied for fifth with Goshen in the Crossroads League standings headed into an important matchup between the two teams this Saturday at Goshen. Tip is set for 1:00 pm.