Box Score
LAREDO, Texas –Texas A&M International rode its best start to a season in program history against No. 17 Our Lady of the Lake, but couldn't seize a lead 32 of the game's 40 minutes ticked by on Monday at the TAMIU Kinesiology and Convocation Building. Once took it, the Dustdevils powered to remain perfect after an 80-74 victory over the visiting Saints.
The Dustdevils (5-0, 1-0 Heartland) scored 80-or-more points for the third time this season – and second time against a nationally ranked opponent – after failing to do so since Feb. 9, 2012. It was the Dustdevils monstrous second half that produced the victory; they outscored OLLU 53-33 in the final 20 minutes after opening with just 27 points.
"OLLU came out on fire," TAMIU coach Michelle Bento-Jackson said. "At halftime, I told the team that we haven't been in a situation that we need to show some fight yet this season. We needed to compete and I told them this was time to see what we are made of. They did exactly that and I'm proud of their second-half effort because they fought back and showed heart."
Senior center Malika Jackson found her footing and flexed with a dominant first step in the paint, piling up 14 points in the second half after finding the bucket just twice once – for two points – in the first. She was joined by former Heartland Conference Player of the Week Samantha Chacon's 16 points as TAMIU's double-digit scorers in the second half. Jackson found foul trouble with two whistles in the opening five minutes, but upon returning to the court in the second half, she finished with 16 points, six rebounds and an assist. Chacon continued her sizzling season with a game-high 21 points, five assists and five rebound through 38 minutes of play.
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Four of the Dustdevils five starters finished with double-figured point totals as guards Tina Dang (14 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals) and Alexis Thomas (12 points, 9 rebounds, 4 steals, 2 assists) finished strong. Although Re'Nikia Meshack started and scored only four points, the 5-foot-4 guard hustled to make six rebounds, two assists and two steals before fouling out.
"We had some early foul trouble," Bento-Jackson said. "But players like Samone Davis, Jessica Woo and Jessica Prieto stepped up when called upon and they gave us positive minutes. Sam looked confident from (the 3-point line) after having a few rough shooting games, and that lit us on fire."
The Dustdevils were cut down by the Saint's 3-point snipers – Courtney Bayliss (19 points on 4 of 6 from long range) – early in the game, trailing by as many as 19 points at the 9 minute mark in the first half. But the rims opened up and the nets ruffled as Chacon and Dang flowed from behind the arc in the second half. Chacon was a perfect 4-for-4 and Dang shot 2-for-4 from long range in the closing period.
"OLLU is a fast-paced team that scores and is a very good team," Bento-Jackson said. "This was a big win, but we are taking it one game at a time because what you did last game doesn't matter as soon as you step onto the court. OLLU beat us twice last season and we got them out of the way now, so its time to move on."
Mason Hawk (5 points) sunk the layup that initially took the lead for the Dustdevils, but it was a pair of distant 3-pointers from Dang and Chacon that put TAMIU up for good. With the score settling at 76-72 and under a minute remaining, the Dustdevils rode the free throw line to victory.
The undefeated Dustdevils will return to action at the TAMIU KCB in search of a historic sixth consecutive win on Nov. 30 against non-conference rival Texas A&M-Kingsville at 7 p.m. Any fan that donates a new, unwrapped toy will receive free admission and buy-1-get-1-free concessions as the donations will benefit the Boys & Girls Club of Laredo.
