Women's Basketball 11/24/2012 6:17:00 PM

Turnovers Plague Women’s Basketball in Loss

Box Score KINGSVILLE, Texas (November 24) – After starting out to a big first half lead, turnovers and poor shooting allowed Our Lady of the Lake University to come storming back to a 61-51 win over the TAMIU women’s basketball team, on the final day of the Holiday Inn Emerald Beach Thanksgiving Classic.

The Dustdevils committed a season high 34 turnovers resulting in 28 points for the opposition and shot a season low 17.6 percent from three-point range, connecting on just 3-17 attempts.

“We didn’t play with any toughness today and we beat ourselves,” said Head Coach Michelle Bento-Jackson. “We need to be much stronger with the ball and not get back on our heels when we face some pressure. We played with fear rather than being fearless. That doesn’t sit well with me and we have a week to improve in many areas before we face St. Mary’s.”

The Saints were led by Alisha Crump who recorded a game high 21 points, most of which came at three free throw line. Kim Brown recorded her first double-double of the season finishing with 16 points and 10 rebounds, while Malika Jackson added a team high 17 points and five rebounds. Tina Dang was the only other Dustdevil to score in double figures adding ten points.

“I was proud of Kim, she fought hard to the end and tried to do everything she could,” said Bento-Jackson. “She showed a lot of heart, she competed, and she played to win. We needed her teammates to follow but unfortunately that didn’t happen.”

After exchanging buckets in the early minutes of the game, The Dustdevils broke out on a 14-0 run starting at the 14:12 mark, giving TAMIU an 18-4 advantage.

The Saints responded with an 8-0 run of their own, trimming the lead down to six points with just under five minutes remaining in the opening period. Kim Brown’s jumper 4:37 remaining would be the last time TAMIU scored in the opening half, as OLLU closed on an 8-0 run trimming the Dustdevils’ half time lead to just two points at 24-22.

The two teams battled back and forth for the majority of the second half, but a three minute TAMIU scoring drought late in the game allowed the Saints to go on an 8-0 run and capture a 51-42 lead with only 4:25 remaining.

The Dustdevils battled back to within four points with 49 seconds remaining and Alexandria Dews forced a turnover forced a turnover with just 47 seconds left, but Tina Dang was off the mark on the ensuing three-pointer.

Alisha Crump was fouled immediately and connected on both free throws to give the Saints a six-point lead. Mailka Jackson committed a costly turnover with only 28 seconds left and once again TAMIU was forced to foul. After two successful free throws by Nikkia Davis, Alexandria Dews committed yet another turnover and the Dustdevils were forced to put Nashae Owens on the line. Owens made both attempts to seal the 61-51 win.

The loss drops TAMIU to 2-4 on the season as they prepare to open conference play on December 1 with a trip to San Antonio to Battle St. Mary’s University. Following the game versus the Rattlers, the Dustdevils will step out of conference to battle Texas A&M Kingsville in their second home game of the season.

Print Friendly Version