Nov. 12, 2011

Final Stats

SAN ANGELO, Texas - Despite big efforts from Desteney Howard and Sam Chacon, the Texas A&M International University Women's Basketball Team fell in their season opener to Angelo State 76-69.

The Dustdevils couldn't find an answer for the Belles interior game, getting outscored in the paint 22-12. The home team was spearheaded by Page Weishuhn and Morgan Youngblood, who finished with 22 and 20 points respectively.. The Belles also held a huge advantage from the free throw line knocking down 31-of-43 attempts, while TAMIU put up only 13 shots from the charity stripe, connecting on ten of them.

Howard paced the Dustdevils with 18 points on 6-of-17 shooting, followed by Chacon who finished with 13 points. TAMIU shot 34% from the field and 34% from three-point range, hitting nine out of a whopping 26 three-point attempts. The Dustdevils reserves, led by Ashley Torres who finished with seven points, also played well outscoring the opposition's reserves 23-9.

The Dustdevils trailed for the majority of the first half, but trimmed the lead down to two by halftime thanks to an 8-2 run to close the period.

The second half was closely contested featuring five ties and four lead changes. The Dustdevils built a 45-39 lead fives minutes in, sparked by a trio of three pointers from Amanda Mangan, Sam Chacon and Desteney Howard. ASU would respond, fighting their way back to tie the game at 57 with 8:42 remaining.

With the Dustdevils trailing 65-63 with 5:30 left in regulation, the Belles would score their next five points off free throws extending the lead to 70-63.

Amanda Mangan and Desteny Howard each hit three's to trim the deficit, but each time TAMIU came within striking distance the Belles would respond with a trip to the free throw line. ASU would score their last four points off free throws, eventually getting the win 76-69.

The ladies return to action tomorrow night, heading to Wichita Falls to battle Midwestern State at 6 p.m.