Trailblazers Fall to Mineral Area

VINCENNES, Ind. — The Vincennes University Women's Basketball team closed its pre-Christmas schedule Wednesday night with a 76–58 setback to Mineral Area College inside the P.E. Complex, dropping the Trailblazers to 8–5 overall.

Mineral Area seized control early, building a 23–15 advantage after the first quarter and extending the margin to 41–23 at halftime. VU showed resilience coming out of the break, trimming the deficit to as few as 12 with a 19-point third quarter, but the visitors answered with steady execution down the stretch to maintain separation and secure the win.

Sophomore guard Zion Hayes paced the Trailblazers with 17 points, attacking the rim consistently and converting 9-of-10 free throws, while adding six rebounds. Sophomore post Dženifera Rieksta finished with 10 points and seven rebounds, and freshman forward Meredith Mitchell provided a strong lift off the bench with 12 points on 6-of-8 shooting.

As a team, VU shot a respectable 37.7 percent from the field but was held scoreless from three-point range, going 0-for-12 from beyond the arc. The Trailblazers were able to generate offense at the free-throw line, finishing 18-of-25 (72.0%), but Mineral Area's efficiency — including 50.0 percent shooting from the field — proved decisive.

First-year Head Coach Nyla Johnson pointed to defensive execution and attention to detail as the difference. "I just don't think our defensive effort was good today," Johnson said. "We did a lot of scout work that didn't translate. When you're playing a very good team, you must carry out your assignments, and we didn't do that tonight."

Johnson also noted the toll of a demanding stretch of games, with Mineral Area representing the fourth contest in seven days. "I think we ran out of gas," she said. "You play four games in seven days and then your toughest competition is on the last day — that's hard. But that's also what it takes if your goal is to win a championship. These are the moments you learn from."

Despite the result, Johnson expressed confidence in her team's response moving forward. "I'm very confident in our group," she said. "When we have a tough game, we respond. We'll dive into the film, learn from it, and grow. I believe in our team, and I know we'll come back better."

Wednesday's contest marked the Trailblazers' final game before the Christmas break. VU will return to action on Tuesday, December 30, hosting Schoolcraft College at 2:00 p.m. ET inside the P.E. Complex.

Hear more from Coach Johnson by clicking here.

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