#8 Lions Fall to #1 Hillsdale in NCCAA National Tournament 1st Round

JOPLIN, Mo. — Top-seeded Hillsdale Baptist College used a 12-2 run in the second quarter to open a double-digit lead to earn a 86-74 victory over Trinity Bible College in the opening game of the NCCAA Women's Division II National Basketball Championship at the Ozark Christian College Multipurpose Building.

The Saints (30-3) had three players tally double figures off the bench led by sophomore guard Sarika Willis' 15 points, junior forward Brooke Davidson had 13 and junior center Ashleigh Edwards 10.

All-American Hanna Reyes, a 5-foot-5 junior guard, scored 12 points and senior guard Brooke Grant added 10 for Hillsdale who will face the winner of No. 4 seed Kentucky Christian vs. No. 5 seed Pensacola Christian in the Friday's semifinals at 6 p.m.

Trinity Bible (18-12) was led by 6-foot All American junior forward Jaylen Newman who poured in a game-high 38 points and grabbed nine rebounds. Velva, North Dakota native was 16 of 33 from the floor, 3 of 10 from behind the 3-point line and 3 of 4 from the free throw line.

Senior guard Janae Droste added 17 points and eight rebounds, junior center Rebecca Olsson had 11 points for the Lions.

Trinity will play at 2 p.m. Friday in the consolation semifinals against the No. 5 seed Pensacola Christian.