Feb. 3, 2012
Final Stats
LAREDO, Texas - Samantha Chacon and Angie Villanueva each hit big shots late in the game Thursday night, lifting the Texas A&M International University Women's Basketball Team over St. Edward's 59-54. After leading the entire first half, the Dustdevils trailed late in the second before the hot-shooting duo of Chacon and Villanueva propelled TAMIU to their eleventh victory of the year.
The 54 points allowed by the Dustdevils was the third fewest points allowed in a game this season and the least allowed in a conference game.
"We got out to a great start and we had great intensity," said Head Coach David Beaver. "It was our best defensive effort of the year. Our offense could have been better but we made shots when they mattered. We absolutely needed this win tonight and I'm proud of my girls for showing up in crunch time."
The Dustdevils came out of the gates red hot, jumping out to an 11-0 lead. The Hilltoppers didn't manage their first points of the game until the 14:24 mark, when Ashley Shoemaker connected on a jumper. TAMIU kept the pressure on St. Edward's pushing their lead out to 14 points (23-9) with 8:08 remaining, but the Hilltoppers came to life in the final eight minutes firing off a 14-5 run to cut the deficit to five points (28-23) at the half.
TAMIU struggled with ball security in the second half turning the ball over nine times, allowing St. Edward's to mount a comeback. The Hilltoppers made a 17-4 run over the first ten minutes of the second period, grabbing an eight point lead (32-40). With 5:30 left to play, Villanueva knocked down a huge three capping a 17-5 run giving the Dustdevils a four-point lead (49-45). TAMIU pushed their lead out to seven points (57-50) with 1:37 to play, courtesy of back to back buckets from Chacon and Villanueva. Re'Nikia Meshack and Nikkitti Scott each made free throws late in the game to wrap up the 59-54 win.
Chacon led the Dustdevils nearly putting up a triple double with 12 points, eight rebounds and nine assists. Scott picked up her sixth double-double of the season adding 12 points and 11 boards. Villanueva was huge off the bench scoring 11 points and kicking in four rebounds. The Dustdevils shot just 34 percent from the field, but were 40 percent from three-point range.
With the win the Dustdevils improve to 3-4 in conference play and 11-10 overall. Saturday afternoon TAMIU will host U.T. Permian Basin with a chance to move back to 500 in conference play. Tip off for Saturday's game is set for 12-noon at the KCB.
