ELSAH, IL – The Principia women's basketball team hosted the MUW Owls on Saturday for their final home game of the 2025-26 regular season. After a tight first half, the Panthers took care of business in the second half for a comfortable 86-66 win.
Before the game, the Panthers' five outstanding seniors were honored with their families and loved ones in attendance. These five women – who have been the five starters all season – have transformed the program from the bottom of the conference to a championship squad during their historic careers.
Taylor Brown and
Ariana Williams came in as freshmen and will leave as the top two players in program history in games started, games played, and minutes played. Brown is also top five in career points, assists, steals, and made free throws, while Williams is top five in career rebounds, assists, blocks, steals, and made free throws.
Trinniti Matthews transferred in as a sophomore and also made her mark on the record books as she is top ten in career rebounds, steals, and made free throws.
Lamiya Terrell and
Hannah Myers came in as juniors and brought excellent defense and clutch scoring. Terrell has led the conference in steals in both of her seasons, while Myers hit the SLIAC championship-winning shot last season and leads the conference in three-point percentage this year. The group will make one more run at a SLIAC title together and will be greatly missed next season.
Saturday's game vs MUW started with a bang with
Trinniti Matthews coming in just four points away from 1000 in her career. It only took Matthews three minutes to make a couple lay ups to reach the milestone as she was mobbed by her teammates. However, MUW played a strong opening quarter and finished the first ten minutes leading 21-16. Principia was able to tie things up by the end of the first half, but came in to the second half needing to raise their level to avoid a disappointing loss. As as typical for this team, the Panthers played better in the second half and pulled away in the fourth quarter for a 20-point victory.
In a fitting Senior Day, all five Principia seniors finished with double digit points. The Panthers were led by Matthews and Brown, each of whom scored 23 points and grabbed double-digit rebounds. That marks Matthews' fourth double-double of the season, while it is Brown's first double-double in over two years. Williams and Myers each scored 13 points, while Terrell finished with 12 points. Terrell also added 5 more steals to add to her season total of 86, which puts her top 10 in the entire nation.
The Panthers will close out the regular season next week with away games at Eureka on Tuesday and at Spalding on Saturday, before heading to the SLIAC Tournament.
