Deerfield, Ill. – A 21-5 run to begin the second half was the difference in the game as Trinity International University (8-13/3-0) came from behind to defeat Judson University (6-12/1-2), 68-61. JU had a 38-35 lead at the half and then took a five-point lead on the opening bucket of the second half before TIU’s run.
Alicia Rovertoni (Columbia, Ill.) collected her fifth double-double of the year with 13 points and 13 rebounds. Kirstin Johns (Belvidere, Ill.) had 16 points to lead Judson and Kelly Friestad added 11.
The two teams fought back and forth the entire first half. JU and TIU relinquished the lead just three different times with Judson finally taking control after the game was tied at 12. JU went on a 13-6 run to take a seven-point lead.
TIU’s Jonkea Stewart-Butler hit a three-pointer to break the tie for a three-point advantage, 15-12, but Johns cut the lead to one on the next possession with a lay up. TIU made it a three-point lead again on two free throws only to see JU score the next seven points for a 21-17 lead. JU went onto a seven-point lead, 28-21, on a Devonaye Henderson lay up.
Judson took their largest lead of eight, 38-30, with 1:08 left in the half. TIU scored the last five points to make 38-35 at the half.
Henderson gave JU a five-point lead, 40-35, to begin the second half. That was the last bucket JU would make for four minutes as TIU tied the game at 43. Tying the game was part of TIU’s 21-5 run to begin the second half and take command of the game. Rovertoni game JU their last lead, 45-43, with 15:09 left in the game as TIU tied the game at 45. TIU out scored JU 13-0 in the next four minutes for an 11-point lead, 56-45.
With just 1:05 remaining in the game, JU brought TIU’s lead back down to five, 66-61, but couldn’t get any closer. JU missed a three-pointer on their next possession and then TIU made two free throws with 25 seconds left in the game for a seven-point lead and the win, 68-61.
Judson shot 43% overall and made 40% from three-point land. They only shot 53% from the foul line (7-of-13). In the first half, JU shot a perfect 100% from beyond the arc (5-of-5) but only made one 3-pointer in the second half. TIU shot 44% from the floor, 35% from the 3-point line, and 57% from the charity stripe.
Judson out rebounded TIU, 38-33, but had 18 turnovers to TIU’s 12. TIU scored 19 points off of JU’s turnovers. TIU also had 14 steals to JU’s six.
Judson will continue CCAC play on Wednesday, January 23rd, when they travel to Indiana to face Calumet College at 5:30 p.m.
