Early Deficit, Defensive Lapses Sink Taylor Against Bethel

UPLAND, Ind. – RV Taylor suffered just its second defeat at Odle Arena this season following Saturday's 93-70 setback to Bethel. The Trojans move to 16-6 overall (6-6 CL) and are now tied with the Pilots (15-7, 6-6 CL) for sixth place in the Crossroads League women's basketball standings.

Kaycie Warfel led the Trojans with an efficient 21 points on 8-of-13 (61.5%) shooting. It was the freshman's fourth game shooting over 60 percent this season. Quinn Kelly tallied 13 points for her second-highest scoring output on the year, and Emma Fohl chipped in eight points, two steals and team-high five assists. Making her second start, Emma Ancelet recorded five points, four assists, four rebounds and three steals. Kelly, Celina Blount and Madi Allen all posted five boards.

Jazmyn Smith posted a 29-point, 10-rebound double-double on 12-of-13 shooting, while Olivia Nickerson drilled six 3-pointers with 24 points to lead the Pilots. TU surrendered season highs in points and allowed its highest opponent shooting percentage (55.2%) in the defeat. Bethel shot 41 percent from three-point range, while controlling the glass with a 40-29 edge. TU had just 11 turnovers but those proved costly, leading to 19 points for Bethel.

TU responded from an 18-point deficit midway through the second quarter to pull back within single digits at halftime, with a layup at the buzzer from Allen which marked an eight-point margin at 41-33. The Pilots never trailed in the contest after racing out to a 7-0 lead in the game's opening minutes and built a 10-point advantage after the first period of play to force the Trojans to play from behind.

Warfel scored seven points and Fohl drained a huge three down the stretch to gain late momentum before the intermission break, with the Trojans outscoring the Pilots 19-17 in the second frame.

After halftime, Warfel and Kelly opened the third stanza with made baskets on back-to-back possessions to slice the deficit to six at 43-37. The Trojans hung around for four-plus minutes as another layup from Kelly made it an eight-point game, 49-41, but that was as close as the Trojans would get the rest of the way.

Bethel put together an 11-3 run capped by a made three from Justyce Williams, as the Pilots led by 14 entering the final quarter, 62-48. The visitors stayed hot from the field while shooting 64.3 percent in the fourth as the lead swelled to as much as 25 in the final minutes.

Taylor returns to action Wednesday evening at Goshen, with tipoff scheduled for 5:30 p.m. ET.