ESPAÑOLA, N.M. – Texas A&M International University women's basketball (1-2) claimed its first victory of the 2019-2020 season by a score of 97-66 over the Northern New Mexico Eagles (NAIA) (1-6) on Monday evening.
The Dustdevils jumped out to a quick 8-2 lead as senior Julynne Da Silva Sa registered six points in the opening 3:16 of play.
Josselin Geer helped contribute to TAMIU's lead as she compiled a 7-0 run on her own in a span of 2:06 to extend their advantage to 17-4 with 3:22 showing on the first quarter clock.
The Dustdevils would ultimately take a 24-18 lead at the end of the first quarter.
TAMIU went on an 11-2 spurt to kick off the second quarter that featured shots from long distance by Geer and Patrycja Jaworska helped extend their lead to 16 (36-20) with 5:26 left in the period.
The Eagles tried to counter when Destiny Wilkerson scored five consecutive points, including a three-pointer, to slice the Dustdevil lead to six (40-34) with 1:19 remaining in the half.
Jaworska responded by converting on a shot from downtown while Geer followed with a layup to send TAMIU into intermission with a 14-point cushion (45-31).
In the third quarter, five different Dustdevils, including Jaworska, Geer, Clara Fernandez, Gulten Altunbulak, Nicole Heyn all connected from long distance to help contribute to a 36-point scoring spree.
The offensive outburst stretched TAMIU's advantage to 33 after three quarters of play (81-48).
TAMIU would eventually settle the 31-point victory in the fourth quarter.
Geer led all scorers with a game-high 24 points (10-of-14 FG, 3-of-6 3FG) while Da Silva Sa contributed with 15 points (7-of-10 FG). Every Dustdevil on the roster recorded at least one point in the win.
Ahmaya Smith finished the game with team highs of 17 points (7-of-10 FG) and four rebounds for the Eagles.
In the end, Texas A&M International shot 56.5 percent (39-of-69) from the field, 46.2 percent (12-of-26) from three-point range and 58.8 percent (10-of-17) from the free-throw line while Northern New Mexico shot 46.8 percent (29-of-62) from the floor, 18.8 percent (3-of-16) from beyond the arc and 69.2 percent (9-of-13) from the charity stripe. The Dustdevils held the advantage in assists (21-8) and steals (14-13) while the Eagles led the way in rebounds (36-31) and blocks (1-0).
The Dustdevils continue their road slate tomorrow, Tuesday, Nov. 12 and will take on New Mexico Highlands (0-2) at 6 p.m.
