ROBINSON, Ill. – Fess Hawkins recorded a double-double to help lead the Vincennes University women’s basketball team to a road victory Monday night.

The freshman scored 13 points and had a game-high 13 rebounds in the Trailblazers' 65-46 win over District P foe, Lincoln Trail.

With the win, VU concludes the fall semester with a 10-4 record and 5-0 in district play.

The Trailblazers trailed 5-2 early on before a 12-2 run midway through the first quarter allowed for some breathing room.

VU led 14-10 after the first 10 minutes of play and 27-22 at halftime.

The Lady Statesmen pulled to within 32-31 within the first three minutes of the third quarter.

But a bucket from Ivanda Hudjakova sparked an 8-2 run over the final 5:12 of the quarter and the Trailblazers never looked back.

“It was really a battle for most of the game,” VU coach Harry Meeks said. “We struggled to score at times but their defense was a big reason for that. They played really good defense.”

The Trailblazers put the game away with a 13-2 run to start the final 10 minutes of play.

“I thought we did a really good job of moving the ball around tonight,” Meeks said. “And with that movement we were able to get a lot of good looks there in the second half.”

VU assisted on nine of its 10 buckets in the first half and finished the game with 15 assists.

Freshman Nickelle O’Neil dished out a career-best five assists.

It was her first game back on the court since sustaining an ankle injury on Nov. 17.

“She played a great game for us tonight,” Meeks said of his back-up point guard. “She came in off the bench and played great defense for us and gave us some really good minutes all night. I am really proud of the way she played. She is such a great kid and a tremendously hard worker.”

O’Neil added three points and one steal.

Jhala Henry notched a game-high 17 points and a career-high eight rebounds. The lanky guard also came away with three steals and one assist.

Hudjakova and Jaynice Stovall added 11 and 10 points, respectively.

VU is off until Jan. 9 when it plays host to Olney Central inside the P.E. Complex.


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VICKIE PUFFER, Communications Coordinator & Online Newsroom Manager 812-888-4162 office, 812-887-4635 cell, VUNews@vinu.edu, vpuffer@vinu.edu
MARCIA MARTINEZ, University Life Reporter & Sports Information Director 812-888-4164 office, 314-599-1519 cell, VUNews@vinu.edu, mmartinez@vinu.edu
VINCENNES UNIVERSITY, Department of University Relations, www.vinu.edu/news/newsroom