Women of Troy beat Kennedy in first regional game

The girls basketball team defeated Kennedy 55-44 during the first regional game of the season on Feb. 19.

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Camille Gretter

Cora Saunders ’20 shoots a free throw while playing Kennedy on Feb. 19.

Camille Gretter, Online Editor-In-Chief

The Women of Troy won their first game on the road to a regional championship and state tournament birth by beating Cedar Rapids Kennedy 55-44 on Feb. 19. The girls basketball team picked up their second win over the Cougars on the year after their 69-45 win on Feb. 7.

West started with a strong lead thanks to Wartburg commit Cora Saunders ‘20, who knocked down a three-pointer less than a minute into the game, leading her to finish with the night with 14 points. Point guard Meena Tate ‘23 played aggressive defense with many steals throughout the game, scoring a total of 8 points.

Audrey Koch ’21 had yet another impressive night as the leading scorer with 18 points.

The team kept a steady lead throughout the entire game and ended up beating Kennedy by 11 points. The gap was almost closed during the third quarter with the help of a full-court press from the Cougars who couldn’t overcome the Women of Troy’s lead with some costly turnovers.

This was the girls basketball team’s first game on their road to state. The Women of Troy are hopeful to return to the Wells Fargo Arena in 2020 after falling short last year at Waukee.

The girls will play Valley for the second time this season on Feb. 22 in the regional semifinal as they hope to stay hot while heading into a tough environment in Des Moines.