BELLINGHAM, Washington (December 15, 2017) - The Texas A&M International University Women's Basketball team returns to play after more than a week off on Monday. TAMIU will take part in the 2017 Western Washington University Holiday Hoops Classic. The Dustdevils are set to take on Western Washington and Simon Fraser.
A LOOK AT THE DUSTDEVILS:
TAMIU will head into the tournament after their first Heartland Conference loss. TAMIU fell to St. Mary's on December 9, moving the overall record to 2-10. The Dustdevils ahve struggled to find the same shooting touch experienced in two wins at the Courtyard Marriott Classic on November 30 and December 1. In that tournament, the Dustdevils defeated Arlington Baptist 84-59 and Huston-Tillotson 87-77. Both games accounted for TAMIU's highest scoring performances thus far.
The Dustdevils are averaging 59 points per game this season while opponents score an average of 69.6 points per game. TAMIU is shooting 35.4% from the field and 26.4% behind the arc through 12 games this season.
Tantashea Giger leads the team with 181 points, averaging 15.1 points per game.
Jaden Gonzales serves as the teams sharpshooter, hitting 39.4% from behind the arc (28 this season) and averaging 8.6 points per game.
THE ALL-TIME SERIES:
The Dustdevils will take on both opponents for the first time in school history at the Holiday Hoops Classic. While host, Western Washington resides in Bellingham, Simon Fraser will be the first forgien opponent for the Dustdevils. Simon Fraser University is based in Buranby, British Columbia.
SCOUTING THE VIKINGS:
The Vikings open play in the Holiday Hoops Classic with a 4-4 record overall and 1-1 in the Great Northwest Conference. The Vikings have scored 531 points this season and average 66.4 points per game. WWU is outscoring opponents by just 1.1 points this season while shooting 38.4% from the field and 36.4% from behind the arc.
Hannah Stipanovich leads the Vikings in scoring, averaging 15.6 points per game. Stipanovich is one of three Vikings who average double-digit points. Anna Schweke is the team leader in rebounds with 64 (averages 8.0 RPG).
WWU has not played a game since a 62-75 loss at Montana State Billings on November 30. WWU has put together two stretches accounting for 2 wins each while the longest streak stand at three when the Vikings lost to UC-San Diego, Azusa Pacific, and Valdosta State.
SCOUTING THE CLAN:
Simon Fraser enters the Holiday Hoops Classic with a 4-4 record this season. The Clan average 69.6 points per game, outscoring opponents by 2.6 points this season. SFU is hooting 39.5% from the field and 36.3% behind the arc. The Clan have struggled on the boards this season, getting out-rebounded by 8.2 rebounds per game.
Tayla Jackson leads the team in scoring with 14.1 points per game (113 this season), while Nicole VandeHelm and Sophie Swant both average 12.1 points per game this season. Swant serves as the team leader in rebounds, pulling in 43 while averaging 5.4 rebounds per game.
The Clan sits at 0-2 in GNAC play this season after falling to WWU and MSU-Billings int heir most recent games. SFU's wins have come against California Baptist (twice), the Academy of Art, and Cal State San Marcos.
THE HEARTLAND CONFERENCE TODAY:
Newman sits atop the Heartland standings with a 2-0 overall conference record, the only team to post two wins thus far. Lubbock Christian sit second at 1-1 while Arkansas-Fort Smith, St. Edward's, and St. Mary's all sit at 1-1 this season. Rogers State and Oklahoma Christian join TAMIU with a 0-1 Heartland mark.
UP NEXT:
The Dustdevils will take a short holiday break before taking on Angelo State in San Angelo, Texas on December 30.
STAY TUNED:
Stay up to date with the Dustdevils on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Snapchat by liking or following @TAMIUAthletics.
