Box Score LAREDO, Texas – The Heartland Conference's regular season champion Texas A&M International saw its season ended on Friday's Heartland Tournament semifinal against No. 4-seed St. Edward's, 62-56. The Dustdevils finish their season 19-8, serving as the first time the program has finished with a winning season, as conference regular-season champions and tournament hosts since joining NCAA Division II.
In front of nearly 300 people on Friday, the Dustdevils saw 23 turnovers turn the tide toward the Hilltoppers.
TAMIU led by eight at halftime, but scored just 23 points in the second half while allowing SEU to score 37.
Dustdevil seniors Malika Jackson (16 points, 14 rebounds, 1 assist, 3 steals) and Samantha Chacon (15 points, 2 assists, 4 rebounds, 2 steals) led the team offensively while playing all but a combined four minutes of the game.
But Chacon also led the team in turnovers, giving the ball away 10 times.
Alexis Thomas scored eight points with four boards and an assist. Tina Dang scored five points with two assists, three rebounds and a steal. Jessica Prieto and Jessica Woo both scored four points and Re'Nikia Meshack and Stella Ghazarian each scored two.
The Dustdevils will now await their fate, hoping for an at-large bid into the NCAA South Central Regional Tournament. The selection show is on Sunday at 9 p.m. and can be watched at http://www.ncaa.com/live/player?vid=2014/1345&date=2014/03/09.
