Nov. 19, 2011

Final Stats

SILVER CITY, New Mexico - Senior Nikkitti Scott scored a game high 23 points and added 16 rebounds to lead the Texas A&M International University Women's Basketball Team to a 75-70 win over Western New Mexico. The win is the first for the Dustdevils who improve to 1-4 on the season.

"Finally the monkey is off our backs," said Head Coach David Beaver. "It was a gutsy performance tonight in a hostile environment after a full day and a half of travel. Nikkitti was huge for us with some big baskets and rebounds inside. Linda and Sam were big on defense against their two best players and Sam made a few key buckets and free throws down the stretch."

The Dustdevils jumped out to an early 6-0 lead, but it wouldn't last long as the Mustangs answered with a 14-2 run. TAMIU fought back and tied the game at 23 thanks to a Nikkitti Scott jumper with eight minutes remaining in the first half. The two teams were back and forth the rest of the way with the Dustdevils taking a 39-37 advantage into halftime.

After TAMIU increased their advantage to six points in the early minutes of the second half, the Mustangs rallied to take the lead off a Morgan Wohltman three-pointer 47-46. Western New Mexico would push that lead out to eight points at the 13-minute mark, before the Dustdevils began to fight their way back in.

TAMIU dropped a 13-5 run on the Mustangs and tied the game at 62 with a jumper from Sam Chacon. With the score tied at 65, Chacon hit another big jumper, followed by a Scott layup to give the Dustdevils a four point lead. Twice the Mustangs were able to cut the lead to one-point, but both times Scott and Chacon were able to sink clutch free throws to keep TAMIU on top. With four seconds remaining in the game, Linda Banuelos converted a layup on a fast break to seal the Dustdevils victory.

Desteney Howard helped lead the offensive charge scoring 13 points, while teammates Sam Chacon and Linda Banuelos finished with 11 and 10 respectively. TAMIU shot 34 percent from the field, 20 percent from three-point range and dominated on the boards, out-rebounding the Mustangs 55-42.

The Dustdevils continue their stay in New Mexico, heading to Espanola to take on Northern New Mexico on November 21st.