| Monica Holguin scored a career high 24 points including six free throws down the stretch to beat D1 Incarnate Word. Trinity (Texas) athletics photo |
After playing one Division I foe closely on Wednesday night, No. 19 Trinity (Texas) beat another on Saturday. The Tigers knocked off Incarnate Word 61-55 in a cross divisional battle of San Antonio teams.
Trinity (Texas) hung close with Division I Houston Baptist on Wednesday night before the Huskies pulled away in the second half for a 60-46 win. This time the Tigers erased an eight-point deficit with eight minutes remaining, tying Incarnate Word at 50 a piece. The Tigers outscored the Cardinals 9-3 the rest of the way with Monica Holguin making six free throws down the stretch.
"It was a special opportunity for us," admitted Tiger Head Coach Cameron Hill. "We owe both Houston Baptist and Incarnate Word a debt of gratitude for scheduling us, and giving us the opportunity to have these games. I just really appreciate what they (UIW) did to come in here and compete with us. There are a lot of variables which go into a Division III school competing with a Division I school. We talked before the game about, 'don't build in excuses as to why you can't accomplish something. Let's talk about the evidence.' When we looked at the papers and the numbers, and the way we matched up with them, we all believed we could win the game. That's not disrespect to Incarnate Word, it's just the way we matched up with them." Trinity's full recap
Monica Holguin posted a career-best 24 points for the Tigers, shooting 6-14 from the field, 4-7 from three-point range, and sinking 8-9 free throws. She also led the team with six rebounds and five assists, and tied for the team lead with four steals.
Incarnate Word and Houston Baptist play in Division I's Southland Conference. Trinity also played Division I foe Texas-San Antonio closely in an exhibition loss earlier this season.
Division III teams have beaten Division I opponents just three times in women's basketball since 2003. The last victory occured in January 2007 when Louisiana College defeated McNeese State. Coincidentally Louisiana College beat McNeese State in men's basketbal earlier this season.
Victories over Division I women's opponents
| Date | Winner | Loser | Score | Highlights |
| Dec. 5, 2015 | Trinity (Texas) | Incarnate Word | 61-55 | Tigers win crosstown, cross divisional battle |
| Jan. 3, 2007 | Louisiana College | McNeese State | 61-57 (OT) | McNeese had double-digit second-half lead |
| Dec. 3, 2003 | Whitworth | Utah Valley State | 64-62 | UVSU in first season in D-I |
Victories over Division I men's opponents
| Date | Winner | Loser | Score | Highlights |
| Nov. 17, 2015 | Louisiana College | McNeese State | 73-70 | New LC coach replaces legend with a flourish |
| Nov. 23, 2013 | Wilmington | Miami (Ohio) | 65-63 | Rallied from down 12 in final nine minutes |
| Nov. 17, 2010 | Colorado College | Air Force | 60-57 (OT) | Tigers hold Falcons to one FG in OT |
| Dec. 4, 2008 | Millikin | SIU-Edwardsville | 70-59 | Millikin rallies vs. first-year D-I program |
| Nov. 23, 2007 | Shenandoah | Houston Baptist | 78-75 | Houston Baptist's first year in D-I |
| Dec. 30, 2006 | UT-Dallas | UT-Arlington | 78-76 | UTD finishes game on 26-10 run |
| Dec. 28, 2005 | Carnegie Mellon | Princeton | 51-46 | Princeton had won 27 in a row vs. D-III teams |
| Dec. 22, 2005 | Puget Sound | UC Riverside | 115-111 | UPS forces 22 second-half turnovers |
| Dec. 18, 2004 | Gettysburg | Navy | 75-69 | Gettysburg avenged one-point loss from 2003 |
| Dec. 4, 2003 | Williams | Holy Cross | 78-71 | Williams led comfortably throughout |
| Dec. 4, 2003 | Fisk | Tennessee State | 65-63 | Fisk hits FTs, survives buzzer-beater attempt |
| Dec. 20, 2002 | Mary Washington | VMI | 60-56 | VMI 2-8 FT down stretch, MWC 7-9 |
| Dec. 4, 2002 | Johns Hopkins | Navy | 66-61 | Navy had won previous 16 meetings |
| Nov. 25, 2002 | Fisk | Tennessee State | 69-65 | Fifth D-III upset in three years |
| Dec. 29, 2001 | Macalester | Yale | 90-82 | Mac 30-40 from line in game at Furman tourney |
| Dec. 18, 2000 | Wartburg | Central Florida | 72-60 | Wartburg finishes on 19-8 run |
| Nov. 25, 2000 | Augustana | Western Illinois | 76-71 | Drew Carstens scores 25 as Augie holds off rally |
| Nov. 18, 2000 | Catholic | Albany | 59-56 | Pat Maloney scores 20, Catholic goes on to win title |
| Nov. 24, 1998 | McMurry | UT-Arlington | 80-76 | McMurry comes back from 18 down in second half |
| Dec. 6, 1997 | Sewanee | Belmont | 74-69 |