OSHKOSH, Wisc. – The 2023-24 Trine University women's basketball season came to a close on Saturday night after the Thunder lost at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh by a score of 74-48. The host Titans shot 55.6% (25-for-45) from the field in the game and 63.2% (12-for-19) from deep to secure the win.
Trine will end the year with a record of 22-8, but it is the third consecutive season and sixth season in the last seven where the Thunder accumulated 20 or more wins. Oshkosh advances to the Sectional Semifinal Round with the victory at 24-5.
"I've been doing this a long time, and I've never seen a team shoot like that," Head Coach Andy Rang said postgame. "All the credit goes to them. I could not be more proud of my kids and how they represent Trine with hard work and dedication on the floor and in the classroom. I could not be more proud of them."
Katie Tate and Abby Sanner gave the team a 4-0 lead via makes on their first two trips down the floor. Ten consecutive points for the Titans gave them the lead and they would not relinquish it for the rest of the night. Allison Capouch knocked down a three-point try to close the period, but the Thunder trailed 15-11.
The lead remained in single digits throughout the second quarter, but Trine was not able to get over the hump to tie or take the lead. At halftime, the score read 32-24 in favor of the home team.
Oshkosh extended their lead in the third quarter behind a 9-for-12 shooting effort and six makes out of seven from deep. The Titans outscored the Thunder 26-14 in the frame to claim a 58-38 advantage going into the final quarter. Sidney Wagner paced the team with four points in the third.
Needing a miracle to come from behind in the fourth, Trine would fall behind by as many as 25 near the halfway point in the fourth, resulting in the team looking to the bench unit for production. Erin Sherwood, Alexis Snodgrass and Addison Hutson made field goals in the fourth in a 74-48 loss and the team's lone senior in Chelsi Giesige fought through injury to take the floor.
In total, Wagner led the team in scoring with 12 points and Tate added 11. Sierra Hinds brought down a team-high three rebounds, distributed two assists and recorded two steals. A 14-2 edge on second chance points gave the Titans enough of a cushion to pull away to the victory.