Women's Basketball 2/15/2013 1:25:00 AM

Turnovers Costly as Dustdevils Fall to McMurry

Box Score ABILENE (February 14) – TAMIU couldn’t overcome a sluggish first half and 19 total turnovers as the Dustdevils fell to McMurry University Thursday night 72-59 at Kimbrell Arena.

The Dustdevils shot only 20.7 percent in the opening period while the War Hawks hit 12-of-29 shots from the field (41.4 percent) to take a 14 point half time lead.

TAMIU amped up their game in the second half knocking down 15-of-28 (53.6 percent) shots from the field and 5-of-11 (45.5 percent) three’s, but couldn’t overcome 10 turnovers which resulted in 17 points for McMurry. The War Hawks also shot well over the final 20 minutes hitting 14-of-28 from the field, 5-of-10 from distance, and 5-of-5 free throws.

Malika Jackson notched her sixth double-double of the year with 16 points and 11 rebounds, while Amanda Mangan added 11 points on 4-of-6 shooting from the field.

Four McMurry players scored in double digits led by senior Jamie Wilson’s 18. Wilson was 7-of-10 from the field, 2-for-2 from beyond the arc, and 2-for-2 from the free throw stripe.

After starting out to a 4-4 tie, the War Hawks scored six unanswered to grab a 10-4 lead with 13:59 remaining. Samantha Chacon, who was held to only seven points, got the Dustdevils moving with a three pointer that ignited a 9-4 run to pull TAMIU within two, 17-15. However, McMurry outscored the Dustdevils 15-4 over the final ten minutes of the half to send TAMIU into the locker room trailing 34-22.

The War Hawks continued to push the pace early in the second half, using a big 15-4 run to take a commanding 49-27 with 16:26 remaining. The Dustdevils got back in the game going on an 18-4 run over the next five minutes to pull within eight, 53-45. After five straight points pushed McMurry’s lead back to 13, Amanda Mangan traded three’s with Jaryn Koenig to cut the lead to 10.

The final blow came over the next five minutes as the War Hawks outscored TAMIU 11-3 to put the Dustdevils behind 72-54 with 1:11 remaining. TAMIU was 1-7 during the stretch with three turnovers and three fouls. Re'Nikia Meshack and Tina Dang combined for five unanswered points in the game’s final minute, but it wasn’t nearly enough to erase the double digit deficit.

The Dustdevils fall to 8-15 on the year, but remain at 4-6 in conference play. TAMIU remains in the thick of the race for a playoff spot, trailing Newman University, who took care of Oklahoma Panhandle State Thursday night 61-39, by half a game. The Jets (4-5) have three conference games remaining against UT-Permian Basin, Arkansas Fort Smith, and St. Edward’s, while the Dustdevils (4-6) have only two left on the schedule (St. Edward’s and St.Mary’s).

TAMIU and St. Edward’s will get underway in Austin Saturday afternoon at 2 p.m.

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