ANGOLA, Ind. – The Edgewood College women's basketball team was hoping to boast a three-game winning streak heading into Christmas break, but Trine University had other plans for the holidays. The Eagles dominated the Thunder on the glass with 59 rebounds compared to 37, but fell 65-54 at Hershey Hall.
The Eagles (4-7) held their first and only lead of the night as Alison Tobin layed in two of her team-high 14 points at the 18:10 mark in the first half, but Trine (7-4) responded with a layup by Megan Loveberry to jump in front of Edgewood College 6-4 and never trailed again. The Thunder scored eight consecutive points in four minutes without allowing an Eagle basket to build their lead to 25-13 with just under six minutes remaining. Four different Edgewood College players retaliated with points to cut Trine's lead to seven, but a pair of free throws by Kelsey Henselmeier and a layup by Loveberry gave the Thunder a 10 point lead at the break.
A Tobin three-pointer and free throw by Mariah Hill cut the Eagles' deficit to six in the second half but the Thunder quickly built their lead back to 10. With 4:43 left in the game and Trine's lead at 11, the Eagles began to make a charge. Allison Novitske started the rally with a layup in the paint followed by Dareon Henderson who swooshed a jumper. Kelsey Collins hit a pair of free throws and the Eagles were right back in the game with just under four minutes to play. The tide quickly turned as Henselmeier hit two more free throws and a layup. Edgewood College had a possession with three offensive rebounds, but could not find the bottom of the net and Trine hit on four more free throws to put the game out of reach.
Trine's defense pressured the Eagles all night as Edgewood College struggled from the field, only converting 28.2 percent (20-for-71) of their shots from the field. The Eagles only hit three shots beyond the arc and 52.4 percent (11-for-21) from the charity stripe in the loss.
The Eagles pulled down an astonishing 59 rebounds, which ranks tied for second in Edgewood College history, but could not convert on enough second chance points. Trine University took advantage of 24 Edgewood College turnovers and cashed in 21 points from those miscues.
Tobin posted her first double-double of the season with a team-high 14 points and a season-high 13 rebounds, but could not propel the Eagles to their third straight victory. Walker contributed with eight points and nine boards of her own including going 4-for-4 from the free throw line.
Edgewood College will take a small break for Christmas before returning to action on December 29. The Eagles game against UW-Stevens Point will tipoff at 6:00 p.m. with live stats available. This link can be found atEdgewoodCollegeEagles.com.