Box Score LAREDO, Texas – Texas International entered Saturday's Heartland Conference action in a three-way tie for the No. 1 seed with St. Mary's and the visiting St. Edward's. By day's end, only the Rattlers (13-2, 8-1 Heartland) and Dustdevils (12-3, 8-1 Heartland) would remain atop the conference's standings as full members.
TAMIU downed the Hilltoppers (10-3, 5-2 Heartland), 76-70, at the TAMIU Kinesiology and Convocation Building with 11 games remaining in the regular season – five of which coming at home. The Dustdevils host St. Mary's on Jan. 18 in a battle of top-slotted teams.
Against the Hilltoppers, the Dustdevils held a slender 1-point advantage heading into halftime after falling into a 16-2 hole just five minutes into the game. They clawed back to retake the lead with six seconds remaining in the half.
TAMIU seniors Malika Jackson and Samantha Chacon led the way offensively, scoring 23 and 19 points, respectively. Jackson contributed four rebounds, five assists and three steal while playing all 40 minutes of the game. Chacon, a former two-time Heartland Player of the Week, pulled in four rebounds, dished three assists, blocked a shot and stole two balls while also playing all 40 minutes.
Laredo-native Jessica Prieto also played all 40 minutes, scoring 16 points, assisting on a scoring play, blocking a shot , and rebounding three balls. She also made a steal.
Senior point guard Re'Nikia Meshack scored nine points and made four rebounds and a steal in 29 minutes. Alexis Thomas scored four points; Mason Hawk had three; and Jessica Woo scored two while pulling in a game-high seven rebounds.
The Dustdevils host St. Mary's in a battle for the conference's top seed on Jan. 18 at 1 p.m. at the TAMIU Kinesiology and Convocation Building before visiting Oklahoma Christian on Jan. 23.
