EDMONTON – A double-double performance of 18 points and 10 rebounds from Nicole Fransson (Edmonton) led Trinity Western to a 67-62 victory over MacEwan on Saturday night at the David Atkinson Gymnasium.
 
The Spartans (9-3) edged past the Griffins (2-10) in what was a gritty affair between the two teams.
 
Fransson wasn't the only Spartan to boast a solid night as Jayden Gill's (Abbotsford, B.C.) 2022-23 campaign continues to be a memorable one as the third-year guard dropped 16 points in the victory.
 
Gill and Fransson were joined by Shemaiah Abatayo (Vancouver), who tallied 11 points in the game, as the three Spartans score 10 or more points on the night.
 
AS IT HAPPENED
TWU came out with a strong performance in the first quarter, outscoring the Griffins 24-14.
 
The Griffins refused to quit in the second quarter, holding TWU to 11 points while scoring 18 themselves.
 
Once again, the Griffins were the better team in the third quarter, besting TWU 21-16 to carry a 53-51 lead into the fourth.
 
The Spartans gutted out a 67-62 victory with the adversity they were facing from the Griffins. TWU held the Griffins to only nine points, scoring 16 of their own in the final frame of play.
 
QUOTABLE
Cheryl Jean-Paul – TWU Head Coach
"Tonight's game was a gritty win. I was really proud of the character of this team despite some of the challenges we faced heading into this game and during the game. We needed some big contributions and got them this whole weekend from so many different players so we're really excited for the direction we're taking. We lost the lead a few times and fought our way back and the timely rebounds and rim attacks made it stressful to watch, but it was exciting to see the results of the hard work we are putting in."

NOTABLE
• The Spartans are 7-1 all-time against the Griffins.
• TWU had a big night on the low-block, outscoring the MacEwan 46-28 in the paint.
• Gill has scored 15 or more points in eight of nine TWU victories this season.
 
UP NEXT
The Spartans host Alberta at the Langley Events Centre on Jan. 13-14.
 
About Spartan Athletics
As official members of U SPORTS, the Spartans currently compete in 13 sports in the Canada West conference, including women's and men's soccer, volleyball, basketball, hockey, cross country and track & field, as well as women's rugby sevens. TWU also competes as an independent team in men's rugby. Since TWU entered U SPORTS in 1999, the Spartans have won 13 U SPORTS team championships and 32 Canada West team championships.
 
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