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Vincennes University

Trailblazers’ Season Ends in Region 24 Semifinals

Trailblazers’ Season Ends in Region 24 Semifinals
Box Score
March 10, 2026

MATTOON, Ill. — The No. 2 seed Vincennes University Women's Basketball team saw its postseason run come to an end Tuesday night, falling 68–62 to No. 3 seed Wabash Valley College in the semifinals of the NJCAA Region 24 Tournament at Lake Land College. The loss closes the Trailblazers' season with a 20–10 overall record.

The semifinal matchup was competitive from the opening tip. Wabash Valley held a narrow 16–15 advantage after the first quarter and carried a 30–28 lead into halftime. The Warriors created separation in the third period with a 20–15 scoring edge before VU battled back in the fourth, but Wabash Valley held on down the stretch to secure the six-point victory.

Sophomore guard Emani Washington led the Trailblazers offensively with 17 points, knocking down five three-pointers while adding five assists. Freshman guard Aniya Lawrence followed with 16 points on 6-of-10 shooting, including four made three-pointers. Sophomore guard Zion Hayes contributed 10 points and seven rebounds, while sophomore guard Netala Dixon added nine points and a team-high eight rebounds and seven assists.

 

As a team, VU connected on nine three-pointers and finished with 18 assists on 22 made field goals. The Trailblazers forced 10 Wabash Valley turnovers and held the Warriors to 28.6 percent shooting from three-point range, but Wabash Valley's efficiency inside — including a 38–22 advantage in points in the paint — proved to be the difference in the contest.

First-year Head Coach Nyla Johnson expressed pride in the way her team competed and reflected on the progress the program made throughout the season. "I'm incredibly proud of our players and everything they accomplished this year," Johnson said. "The wins we had on the court were special, but the growth and resilience this group showed off the court meant just as much. They battled through a lot of obstacles and stayed committed to each other and to the process."

Johnson also praised the leadership shown throughout the season by both the team's veterans and younger players. "Our sophomores really stepped into leadership roles as the year went on, and our freshmen played huge minutes for us and continued to grow," Johnson said. "This group trusted our staff and bought into what we were trying to build, and that's something I'll always be grateful for."

Johnson noted that while the semifinal loss was difficult, the season remains a significant step forward for the program. "When you step back from the emotion of the game, you realize how much this group accomplished," Johnson said. "Twenty wins, three All-Region players, and a team that truly cared about each other and this program. I'm thankful for the season we had and excited about the direction we're heading."

The Trailblazers finish the 2025–26 season with a 20–10 overall record, highlighting a campaign that saw VU compete near the top of Region 24 and continue building momentum for the future of the program.

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