Box Score LUBBOCK, Texas – Texas A&M International entered Lubbock Christian's Rip Griffin Center with an unblemished 6-0 Heartland Conference record, but the Dustdevils were tested by the conference-provisional member from the tipoff. The Lady Chaps also entered with a perfect Heartland track – at 7-0 – but the team's provisional status restrains it from eligibility for any championship honors or postseason play.
The affair between unbeatens favored the home team, as LCU motored to a 104-66 victory on Saturday. The Lady Chaps challenged TAMIU (10-3, 6-1 Heartland) in nearly every component, including holding advantages in points in the paint (60-26), points off turnovers (20-8), second-chance points (16-10), bench points (32-21) and rebounds (48-30).
The Chaps produced six double-digit scorers – including three with 15 or more points.
The Dustdevils saw three starters – senior forward Malika Jackson, sophomore guard Jessica Prieto and senior guard Samantha Chacon – score in double figures. Jackson led the team with 14 points on 60 percent (6-for-10) shooting from the field, while contributing five rebounds, two assists and a steal.
Prieto hit 12 points in just her sixth start, while playing a season-high 32 minutes. She also produced four boards, two assists and a steal.
Chacon, two-time former Heartland Conference Player of the Week this season, added 10 points with four assists, three rebounds and a steal.
Jessica Woo came off the bench to score eight points in 16 minutes, adding a rebound as well. Both Alexis Thomas and Mason Hawk scored seven points. Tina Dang scored six and Re'Nikia Meshack put two points in off 1-for-6 shooting from the field.
The Dustdevils return to the TAMIU Kinesiology and Convocation Building on Jan. 9 to host McMurry at 5:30 p.m. as they look to shrug off their first conference loss.
