VU Competes Deep Into Fourth, Falls to No. 7 Schoolcraft
VINCENNES, Ind. — The Vincennes University Women's Basketball team closed the 2025 calendar year with a hard-fought 64–59 loss to NJCAA DII No. 7 Schoolcraft College on Tuesday afternoon inside the P.E. Complex. The loss moves the Trailblazers to 8–6 overall.
VU opened the game with energy and execution, taking a 20–16 lead after the first quarter, but struggled to sustain offensive momentum as Schoolcraft adjusted defensively. The Trailblazers were held to 10 points in the second quarter, holding a slight 30–28 lead at halftime. Schoolcraft seized control in the third period, outscoring VU 21–12 to create separation. VU would make one last push in the final stanza, only to come up short.
Sophomore guard Netala Dixon led the Trailblazers with 16 points on an efficient 6-of-9 shooting, adding five rebounds, three assists, and four steals off the bench. Sophomores Zion Hayes and Emani Washington each finished with 13 points, with Hayes pulling down a team-high nine rebounds.
As a team, VU shot a respectable 32.1 percent from the field but only 15.8 percent from three-point range, staying competitive by attacking the rim and getting to the free-throw line, converting 20-of-30 attempts (66.7%). The Trailblazers scored 30 points in the paint, but turnovers proved costly, as Schoolcraft converted 20 points off 19 VU miscues, all while shooting 40.4 percent from the field.
VU first-year Head Coach Nyla Johnson acknowledged the competitive nature of the game and emphasized the learning moments that come with a close loss late in the calendar year. "That was just two good teams competing to the end," Johnson said. "They did a better job of getting what they wanted in the second half than we did, but I thought our kids competed hard with everything we had going against us. When we executed our game plan, it was really good."
Johnson also pointed to growth still taking shape within her program. "They (Schoolcraft) have an established culture of winning, and we're still learning how to win," she said. "That's part of the process. These moments — whether you win or lose — help you understand what it takes. Our kids are learning, and they're going to respond by going back to work."
Monday's contest marked VU's final game of 2025, wrapping up a challenging stretch before the New Year. The Trailblazers will return to action in the New Year on Friday, January 2, hosting Jackson College at 2:00 p.m. ET inside the P.E. Complex.
Hear more from Coach Johnson by clicking here.
Join the Journey
As always, fans can keep up with the Vincennes University Women's Basketball squad all year long through a number of ways:
- X (formerly Twitter): @VUTrailblazers | @VincennesWBB
- Facebook: Vincennes University Athletics
- Instagram: @VincennesUTrailblazers | @VincennesWBB
- Youtube (live & on demand content): BlazerVision
- Website: https://govutrailblazers.com
