Five TCJ Eagles Women's Basketball players scored in double-figures and three more contributed points in a tight match-up with the Indians of NJCAA USC Salkehatchie on Saturday. The Eagles came back from a 10-point deficit with 3:03 left to play and had a chance to tie it at the buzzer, but the final shot rimmed out, and USC Salkehatchie held on for the 78-75 win.

With the Indians leading 74-64 after a pair of free throws from Eliza Baskins, Trinity scored 11 of the next 14 points. Emma Parrish sank 2 of her 7 successful foul shots, Travesha Giddens, made a layup, Laila Harvey drained a three-pointer, and M'lani Vitela hit a pair of free throws to make the score 78-73 with 11 seconds left. A steal from Vitela in the backcourt gave the ball to Trinity. Vitela hit Victoria Broadway with a long pass, and Broadway's layup made it a three-point game with 2.1 seconds left. A turnover on the ensuing inbound pass gave the Eagles one last chance, but the last-second three-point attempt would not fall in.

Parrish led the Eagles with 18 points, including a trio of threes and 7 of 8 at the line. Vitela and Giddens each scored 11. Vitela hit all 6 foul shots, and Giddens was 5 for 7 from the field. 

Jaedin Houston set a season high with 10 points, using a pair of three-pointers in the third quarter to keep the game close. Harvey also scored 10, sinking 4 deuces, a three, and a free throw. 

The Eagles led 22-15 after the first quarter, but USC Salkehatchie had a big second to take a 35-31 lead at halftime. Each team scored 21 in the third, and Trinity outscored the Indians 23-22 in the fourth. 

USC Salkehatchie's Madison Kerry hit 4 three-pointers, including 2 at the end of the second quarter to help her team take the lead; she led the court with 23 points. Kemarja Peay was perfect in 10 foul shots (8 for 8 in the thired quarter) and added a fourth-quarter basket to finish with 12. Dalashia Brunson and Baskins each scored 13 on 4 deuces, 1 three, and 4 foul shots. 

The Eagles will play three times on the road to finish out 2025. Trinity will visit USCAA Beacon College on December 15, NAIA Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College on December 15, and USC Salkehatchie on December 19. After an away game on January 6, South Region play begins at home against Toccoa Falls College on January 10.