NOTRE DAME, Ind. – Sophomore guard Sidney Wagner led an onslaught on offense and defense for the Trine University women's basketball team on Wednesday night at Saint Mary's College. Wagner's 23 points and career-high 10 steals paced the team to an 85-49 victory.
10 steals in a game is tied for second in program history for most by an individual in a contest. She becomes the third student-athlete to break the 10-steal mark in a game and the first since 2012. The team had 23 steals in total, which is the second-most in a game this season and the third-most all-time. Saint Mary's had 29 turnovers that led to 36 points on the other end for the Thunder. Trine had 54 points in the paint and held a 22-0 advantage on fast breaks.
The Thunder are now 19-5 overall and are 13-2 in Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) play. The Belles of Saint Mary's fall to 7-18 overall and 4-12 in conference play. Trine remains tied with Hope College atop the league standings and with a win or Flying Dutch loss, they will clinch at least a share of the conference regular season title on Saturday, February 18.
Saint Mary's ground the pace to a halt at the beginning of the first quarter and took a 6-4 lead within the first five minutes of play. The final 13 points of the quarter all belonged to the Thunder to take a 17-6 lead into the break. Abby Sanner scored eight points in the run and Wagner tallied the final five.
The Trine offense exploded in the second period for 28 total points. Katie Tate began the quarter with a made jump shot and nine total turnovers from the Belles led to eight points on the other end of the floor for the Thunder. Wagner had five steals in the second alone and netted 11 of her 23 points in that quarter. Sanner, Jada Rhonehouse and Sierra Hinds had four points apiece in the frame.
Up 45-23 going into the third quarter, Makayla Ardis became the catalyst for the team. The senior guard scored eight points in an 18-14 win over the third of four 10-minute spans. A three-point field goal by Hinds made it 63-37 through three quarters.
Addison Hutson buried a three-point field goal early in the fourth to go up 30 at 69-39. Jordan Walters and Erin Sherwood gave the visitors their largest lead of the game late in the period at 81-44 and Tiana Maat knocked down a pair of free throws to clinch the 85-49 win.
Wagner and Sanner were the only two who scored in double figures for Trine with 23 and 14 points. The team filled the cup at 54.8% (34-for-62) with Wagner going 10-of-14 and Sanner 7-of-9. Sanner's seven rebounds also paced the club.
Senior day will emanate from the MTI Center on Saturday, February 18 against the Adrian College Bulldogs. Tip-off is slated for 1 p.m.