Slow Start Dooms Norse Ladies In 77-53 Road Loss

RIVER GROVE, Ill.---The Bay College women's basketball team fell behind 12-0 to start the game and couldn't bounce back, falling to Triton (Ill.) College, 77-53, Saturday in suburban Chicago.

The Norse had trouble with the aggressive Trojans defense, which forced 30 turnovers, many of them when they double teamed the ball carrier on the press. That led to multiple fast break baskets for the Trojans.

"We knew they were going to be a lot quicker when it comes to ball pressure and trapping," Norse Coach Matt Gregory said. "Our girls just have to be a little stronger and make themselves available (for a pass), instead of sitting there waiting for a pass to happen. That's not going to happen against teams like this. That's a good basketball team over there."

It took the Norse more than six minutes to score their first point, a free throw by Lauryn Bloniarz with 3:36 left in the first quarter.

The Trojans built a 20-6 lead after one quarter, and it was 40-21 at halftime.

The Norse made a run in the third quarter after falling behind by 21 points. Holly Wardynski scored an "and-one" basket with 3:57 left in the third quarter, then after a defensive stop and a couple of free throws, Bay closed to within 47-36 when Cierra Molina had a steal and layup.

Bay had two chances to cut the deficit to eight, but missed on a couple of triple tries. Triton then outscored Bay, 20-4, over the next five minutes, and the Norse could not mount another challenge.

Wardynski led the Norse with 16 points and Molina added 15. Bloniarz led the team in rebounds with eleven.

Mariah Henry had 15 points and Jailyah Davis added 14 for the Trojans.

Bay College (1-1) will travel to Wisconsin to face the sixth ranked Bryant & Stratton Bobcats next Saturday. Game time is 2:00 ET.

Click the thumbnails to see photos and videos, and hear post-game comments from Coach Matt Gregory. Also hear Bree Arsenault's player spotlight interview.