Women's Basketball 11/23/2012 10:52:00 PM

Dang Leads Women’s Basketball Over N.M. Highlands

Box Score KINGSVILLE, Texas (November 23) – Tina Dang scored a game-high 17 points and the Dustdevils forced the Cowgirls into 28 turnovers, as the TAMIU women’s basketball team routed New Mexico Highlands University 72-57 on the opening day of the Holiday Inn Emerald Beach Thanksgiving Classic in Kingsville, Texas.

Turnovers proved to be vital for New Mexico Highlands, as TAMIU scored 27 points off Cowgirl turnovers. The Dustdevils’ bench also outscored the Cowgirls an astonishing 72-25.

“Tonight was one of our better defensive games,” said Head Coach Michelle Bento-Jackson. “For the most part we were more disciplined with our defensive game plan and our defensive lead to transition points on the offensive end.”

Dang finished 6-19 from the field and 3-10 from three-point range, while also adding six assists and four steals.

“Tina is getting better each game,” said Bento-Jackson, “she has a lot of responsibilities and she is working hard to improve both mentally and physically every day. She does a lot of things during the game and I was proud of her effort tonight.”

Senior Alexandria Dews had her best game in a TAMIU uniform adding a season high 12 points, seven rebounds, and four assists. Rosebud Guthrie also made a big contribution recording 10 points, all in the second half, and ripping down a game-high eight rebounds.

“Bud and AD in particular gave us great minutes off the bench tonight,” said Bento Jackson. “Bud always comes in and gives us energy and AD was solid on both ends of the floor. Tonight I thought AD played within herself and showed just what her capabilities are.”

The Dustdevils shot only 32 percent in the opening half, including a 2-10 performance from distance. TAMIU surged in the final half, hitting 48 percent of their shots and 66 percent of their three-point attempts.

The Cowgirls jumped out to an early 4-0 lead, but four straight points from TAMIU center Malika Jackson quickly tied the game up. With the game tied at 15, Sam Chacon connected on a fast break layup which kickstarted a 10-2 run which gave the Dustdevils an eight point lead with 8:37 remaining in the opening half. After the Cowgirls battled back to tie the game at 25, the Dustdevils closed the half on an 8-0 run taking a 33-25 lead into the break.

Leading by ten points with 15:32 left to play, Guthrie hit a layup plus the foul and the Dustdevils followed with six more unanswered points to give TAMIU an 19-point lead. The Dustdevils would lead by as many as 21, before coasting to the 72-57 win.

With the win TAMIU improves to 2-3 on the season as they prepare for game two of the Holiday Inn Emerald Beach Thanksgiving Classic Saturday morning. The Dustdevils will take on Our Lady of the Lake on November 24 at 11 a.m., before starting conference play on December 1 with a trip to San Antonio to take on St. Mary’s University.

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