The experience and veteran leadership won the battle against youth and inexperience as Trine University knocked off the Denison women's basketball team 80-64 in the season opener from Livingston Gymnasium in Granville on Sunday afternoon.
The Thunder utilized the high-percentage shot as they connected on 55 percent (29-of-53) of their shots from the floor including an impressive 60 percent (6-of-10) from three-point range. Even though both teams grabbed 36 rebounds, Trine limited DU's second chance opportunities with 29 boards on their defensive end.
The Big Red, who return just two starters from last season, gained an early advantage with a layup by sophomore Christina Myers (Pataskala, Ohio/Watkins Memorial) that gave the home squad a 9-4 lead. However, the veteran Trine squad led by three senior starters remained composed as they battled back and tied that game at 15-15 on a jumper by junior Liz Gehrig. From that point on the Thunder never looked back as they built up as much as a 10-point advantage (40-30) in the opening frame. Over the final five and a half minutes, Denison clawed back and shrunk the deficit to 42-36 as the two teams entered the locker room.
Trine continued to press the action in the second half as they held a double-digit lead for the majority of the period. The Thunder took advantage of the young inside as they scored half of their second-half points in the paint. The other 18 tallies came from behind the arc (9 points) and from the charity stripe (9 points).
Myers led the Big Red with 16 points on 7-of-17 from the floor and eight boards, while first-year Kyli Parker (Batavia, Ohio/Summit Country Day) chipped in 15 off the bench including a 3-for-6 performance from three-point land. Rookie point guards Serafina Nuzzo (Western Springs, Ill./Fenwick) and Kristen Meyer (Cincinnati, Ohio/St. Ursula Academy) each scored nine tallies, while Nuzzo also added six boards, six assists and three steals.
The Thunder were paced by senior Kristen Julian who netted a game-high 26 points and pulled down eight rebounds, while senior Sarah Howe added 22 tallies and Gehrig finished with 12 tallies and six boards.
Denison (0-1) returns to action on Friday (Nov. 20) when they take on Webster University at the Anderson College Tip Off Tournament. Game time is scheduled for 6 p.m.
