Taylor Fends Off RV IU East in Narrow Victory
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UPLAND, Ind. – The 19th-ranked TU women’s basketball team escaped the weekend with a slight victory over RV IU East. The Trojans built a 25-point lead but a feverish comeback from the Red Wolves left Taylor with a five-point advantage at the final buzzer.
Taylor (7-1) got off to another hot start on Saturday, grabbing eight-straight points in the first quarter to gain early separation.
Free throws were crucial for TU in the first half, as the team went 10-of-11 from the line. Sophomore Lauren James added significant minutes in the half with 10 points on four made shots in as many attempts.
Abby Buchs logged eight points in the third quarter, helping Taylor gain a 22-point advantage heading into the final period. A triple from Haley Stratman extended the lead to 25 before the Red Wolves (1-6) stormed back into the game. IU East rattled off 23-consecutive points to trim its deficit down to two. Trying to hang on, Kendall Bradbury tallied five points in the final three minutes to help Taylor maintain its lead for the 73-68 win.
Becca Buchs paced the Trojans on the boards, pulling in a career-high nine rebounds, while adding nine points in her 30 minutes of action.
Offensively, Bradbury led the team with 18 points. The senior forward has posted double-digit scoring efforts in all eight games this season. Abby Buchs and James also added to the scoring column, as they each tallied 11 points in the contest.
Aubrey Wright nabbed three of the team’s eight steals, as TU forced 22 IU East turnovers.
No. 19 Taylor (7-1) will return to Odle Arena on Tuesday at 5:00 pm for its first Crossroads League matchup against Bethel (4-3).
