STEPHENVILLE, Texas (November 13, 2015) -- The Texas A&M International Women's Basketball team opened up their 2015-16 season in the TexAnn Tip-Off Classic, hosted by Tarleton State, on Friday afternoon. The Dustdevils were faced with a 57-60 loss from the Texas A&M - Kingsville Javelinas, presenting a 0-1 start to the year.

The Dustdevils enter the 2015-16 season with three returners, and seven additional newcomers that round out the ten player team.

Keeping the competition close with their Lone Star Conference rival throughout the game, TAMIU matched evenly with the Javelinas. Through the first ten minutes of play, scoring was tallied at 16-19. TAMUK put the pressure on in the next ten minutes, out-scoring TAMIU by 5. The eight point deficit plagued the Dustdevils, as they found their rhythm in the second half. TAMIU matched the Javelinas for scoring at 21 each in the first ten minutes. In the final ten, TAMIU out-scored the Javelinas by 5, but it was not enough to overcome the first half lead that was generated early on by TAMUK.

The returning core of the Dustdevils paved the path for TAMIU. Senior Jessica Prieto went 9-20 in FGs, including 5-10 in 3 point FG attempts. She also netted all 3 of her free throw attempts during her 40 minutes of play.

TAMIU capitalized on points off turnovers (20) and fast break points (4), leading those categories over TAMUK, to stay in the game. The Dustdevils tallied 22 points in the paint. The only technical foul was recorded by TAMIU's Hannah Beede.

Up next, TAMIU will face off against the TexAnn Tip-Off Classic host, Tarelton State, on Saturday, November 14. The action begins at 5:00pm in Stephenville. Follow along with www.GoDustdevils.com, and on social media with @TAMIUAthletics on Twitter, and /GoDustdevils on Facebook.