The Trinity Bible College women’s basketball team has seen its fair share of hard times this season, but their hard-work and dedication paid off this past weekend. The Lady Lions won the NIAC tournament for the first time in school history defeating AFLBS and St. Cloud Technical College on consecutive nights. The Lady Lions were the #3 seed entering the tournament, having went 1-1 vs. AFLBS and 0-2 vs. St. Cloud Tech. on the season. But the tournament would be different!

On the first night, Trinity would defeat AFLBS 66-51. Trinity was able to press the entire game, which kept the tempo up and gave the Lions easy opportunities on the offensive end. The Lady Lions’ defense recorded 20 steals in the game. Chelsey Eng had 9 of them. For the game, four Lions would turn in double-digit scoring efforts. Kristin Ayze and Shianne Montgomery each scored 15 points and each collected 8 rebounds. Quimby Handy and Chelsey Eng scored 14 points apiece for the Lions. The win would advance the Lions to the championship game against St. Cloud Tech, whom they haven’t beaten all season.

In the game vs. St. Cloud Tech. the girls came out playing with a lot of intensity. They were able to get a lot of steals that led to easy buckets. The Lions’ defense was very stout, as they held a very good Cyclone team to 22 first half points. But in the 2nd half, the momentum would turn in the favor of the Cyclones. Trinity found their 15 point lead dwindle and with 7 minutes left, was losing by 11 points! Trinity was finally able to stop the bleeding and get the deficit back to fewer than 10 and kept chipping away. Kristin Ayze and Shianne Montgomery both hit some huge three’s down the stretch and the Lady’s found their defense that was so stifling in the first half to tie the ball game with 1 minute remaining. Some clutch free throws and huge offensive rebounds later and the Lady Lions were celebrating their first Conference championship!

For the game, Kristin Ayze and Shianne Montgomery each scored 23 points to lead the Lions. The two shot a combined 9 for 15 from the three point line. Ayze also had 10 rebounds and 5 steals for the game. Quimby Handy added 16 points and 6 rebounds.