NORTH CANTON, Ohio - The Walsh Cavaliers women's basketball team cruised to their seventh straight win on Saturday (Jan. 4) afternoon, defeating the Trevecca Nazarene Trojans 97-59 at Alumni Arena. 

Walsh improved to 12-2 overall and 5-0 in the G-MAC with the dominant victory. With the win, Walsh is still first in the G-MAC Point Rating System with a 4.70 rating through five games. 

Trevecca Nazarene opened the game with a 4-0 run in the first 55 seconds. Walsh used an 11-2 run to regain the lead and keep it. Quionche Carter tied the game at four with a pair of layups. Megan Ball followed with two free throws, as Walsh took a 6-4 lead. The Trojans quickly tied the contest at six but Mayci Sales broke the deadlock with a layup. Kimmie Borck nailed a three pointer as Walsh's lead grew to 11-6. Trevecca closed within two points, 13-11 with 4:52 left in the first quarter but that was the closest they got. Walsh ended the first quarter on a 17-6 run, including eight straight points. The Cavaliers led 30-17 after the first period. 

Walsh used an 18-0 run over the final 6:46 of the second quarter, turning an 11 point lead into a 29 point advantage. Lexie Scarton had two of five Walsh three pointers in the rally. The lead was 56-27 at the halftime break. 

Ball continued the run into the third quarter as she opened the second half with a three pointer. The overall 21-0 run pushed the lead to 59-27 with 9:40 left in the third. Trevecca trimmed the deficit to 29 four times in the third quarter but Walsh ended the third quarter on a run. Over the last 2:48, the Cavaliers scored eight straight points for an 81-44 advantage after three periods.

Walsh outscored Trevecca 17-16 in the fourth quarter, taking the 97-59 win. The biggest lead was 43 after a Hannah Blake three pointer. 

All five starters scored in double-figures while all 11 players that played scored. Carter led the way with 18 points, after scoring 11 in the first period. She made seven-of-eight shots (six-of-six from the floor) with five rebounds, three steals and a trio of assists. Ball added 15 points on five field goals (three threes) along with five rebounds and two blocks. Scarton made four shots (three treys) for 11 points. Tyler Newkirk and Sales each scored ten points. Newkirk dished out five assists with Sales grabbing six rebounds. 

Walsh shot above 60% for three quarters, finishing with 57.6% (34-59) from the floor. They made 14 three pointers out of 23 (61%) and was 15-of-19 from the free throw line. 

The Cavaliers will travel North to Ursuline on Thursday (Jan. 9) at 6:30 PM for a G-MAC matchup. 

-WC-