Women's Basketball Sets New Standard with 20th Win
OWENSBORO, Ky. – For the first time in school history the Asbury women’s basketball team has reached 20-wins in a season, capturing their 20th win on Saturday evening at Brescia, 89-77. The Eagles have only their second winning season, joining last year’s 18-13 team.
Trenia Barbee led the team in scoring as the Eagles trailed only briefly early in the first half, but it was Kylee Gorby’s double-double that provided the spark for the Eagles (20-8, 9-4 KIAC). Gorby’s first career double-double of 13 points and 10 rebounds, five on the offensive glass, provided extra possessions for the Eagles where they excelled on this night. Asbury grabbed 18 offensive rebounds, turning those into 26 second-chance points. Gorby also added a team-high four assists and three steals.
Barbee led the way with 20 points and 11 rebounds, her team-leading fifth double-double of the season. She has scored 20 or more points in 19 of her 25 games this season and in eight KIAC games.
The Eagles led by just four, 38-34 at halftime but the defensive pressure wore down the short-handed Lady Bearcats (13-11, 6-6 KIAC). Brescia had only seven players in uniform for the game. Asbury forced 27 turnovers in the game which led directly to 38 points. Asbury turned it over just 12 times.
The turnovers and offensive rebounds were the keys as the Eagles shot only 40-percent from the field. Asbury made nine threes as Brescia shot 43-percent and made just four threes. Both teams saw plenty of action at the foul line as the Lady Bearcats sank 25-of-31 and the Eagles connected on 18-of-24.
Asbury pushed their lead out to 11 for the first time with six minutes left, capping a 9-0 run with a three by Ellie Steiner. Steiner finished with 11 points off the bench, and made three threes. Similarly Dorian Downs connected on three threes and scored 11 points off the bench as well. Overall six players scored in double figures for the Eagles as Laura Carroll added 13 and Annissia Wood chipped in with 10.
Asbury’s win and a loss by Point Park to Berea earlier in the day sets up an interesting finish in the KIAC. If both teams win out, Asbury plays IUS and Midway and Point Park plays Carlow, then they will share the KIAC title. Asbury defeated both IUS and Midway on the road earlier this season.
The Eagles will get their first chance to play for the KIAC regular season title as they host Indiana
Southeast on Saturday February 16 at 2 pm.
