Box Score
WICHITA, Kan. – In just seven games this season, Texas A&M International senior forward Malika Jackson is bullying opponents. She recorded her fourth double-double of the young season on Thursday at the Fugate Gymnasium in a 66-44 victory over Newman. With the win, TAMIU (6-1, 2-0 Heartland Conference) rebounds from its first and only loss of the season, an 92-86 dropping by Texas A&M-Kingsville in double-overtime.
Only No. 10 Midwestern State could contain Jackson to single-digit points in the Dustdevils' first game of the year; she's averaged 17.5 points per game in the six games since.
In Thursday's victory, Jackson was joined by two-time Heartland Conference Player of the Week Samantha Chacon as the Dustdevils' only scorers with 10 or more points. Chacon, a senior guard from El Paso, hung 10 points on the Jets (4-5, 2-2 Heartland) by shooting 4-for-11 (36.3 percent) from the field while dishing five assists.
Junior guard Jessica Woo scored seven points with seven rebounds in 15 minutes off the bench. Tina Dang started and scored six points; sophomore Jessica Prieto scored five but handed out a team-high six assists; while Re'Nikia Meshack and Alexis Thomas each scored four points and both Mason Hawk and Stella Ghazarian finished with three.
Just a game removed from turning the ball over a season-high 21 times against TAMUK, the Dustdevils limited their errors to 13 against Newman. Even more impressive, TAMIU turned the Jets over 19 times, scoring 21 points as a result.
The Dustdevils flexed the muscles against Newman in almost every team statistical category: powering to 26 points in the paint, 10 second-chance points and 18 points from their bench. On the other hand, Newman scored two less from the post, two less off second chances and a difference-making nine – half as many points as TAMIU – from its bench.
The final score illustrated the Dustdevils' dominance as they closed as hot as they could. Their biggest lead totaled only one point higher – at 23 points – with just three minutes remaining. Newman led only twice in the game, after winning the initial tip and scoring, and scoring on their very next possession. From there, TAMIU pulled away with the spark that Dang provided from the 3-point line and Jackson's rampage under the rim.
With the victory, TAMIU pulls into a four-way tie for first place in the Heartland Conference with Lubbock Christian, St. Edward's and St. Mary's – but LCU is ineligible for postseason play due to its provisional status in the league. All four teams are even with one loss apiece. TAMIU was picked to finish fifth in the Heartland preseason poll by the league's coaches.
The Dustdevils will continue on the road with conference play on Saturday, visiting Oklahoma Panhandle State (0-8, 0-3 Heartland) at 2 p.m. They will then visit TAMUK for a non-conference chance at avenging their only loss thus far on Dec. 14 at 7 p.m.
TAMIU will return to the Kinesiology and Convocation Building to take on Heartland newcomer Rogers State on Dec. 19 at 5:30 p.m. That same evening will see the Dustdevil men face Rogers State as well at 7:30 p.m.
