LAREDO, Texas – Texas A&M International University women's basketball (6-4, 3-1 LSC) continued its home slate by securing an 80-42 Lone Star Conference victory over the Western New Mexico Mustangs (3-5, 0-4 LSC) on Thursday evening.

Western New Mexico went on a 10-5 run to open the game that featured a pair of shots from long distance by Kyanne Kowatch and Paulina Rodriguez, respectively, with 4:58 showing on the game clock. 

TAMIU responded by compiling seven consecutive points in a span of 1:20 that was ignited by Patrycja Jaworska's layup and was capped off on a layup by Josselin Geer at the 3:15 mark to give the Dustdevils a two-point advantage (12-10).

TAMIU would ultimately take a 15-14 lead to conclude the opening period.

In the closing 5:42 of the second quarter, the Dustdevils unleashed a 13-2 offensive barrage with the help of layups by Nicole Heyn, Geer, respectively, along with a three-pointer by Jaworska to stretch the advantage to 11 (36-25) heading into intermission. 

In the second half, TAMIU picked up the defensive intensity as they surrendered just nine points in the third quarter and eight points in the final quarter. 

Offensively in the third quarter, the Dustdevils registered a dozen-consecutive points, including eight points by Heyn, to give TAMIU a 27-point cushion (57-30) with 1:41 remaining in the third period. The Dustdevils would hold a comfortable 59-34 lead going into the fourth quarter. 

In the fourth quarter, Julynne Da Silva Sa dropped in back-to-back layups to stretch TAMIU's lead to a game-high 38 points (77-39) with 2:07 remaining in regulation. 

Troi Lucas sealed TAMIU's second-consecutive victory by converting on a three-point play at the 1:16 mark.

Heyn drained a season-high five shots from three-point territory en route to recording game highs of 22 points (8-of-10 FG, 5-of-5 3FG) and five steals. Jaworska collected 20 points (6-of-10 FG, 2-of-4 3FG, 6-of-8 FT) and nabbed a pair of steals. Geer registered 11 points (5-of-10 FG) and secured a team-high six rebounds and dished out a game-high five assists. Ortega was perfect at the charity stripe (8-of-8) en route to scoring 10 points. 

Paulina Rodriguez tallied a team-high 14 points (6-of-15 FG) for the Mustangs while Alicia Mardis pulled down a game-high 11 rebounds. 

In the end, Texas A&M International shot 51 percent (26-of-51) from the field, 52.6 percent (10-of-19) from three-point range and 78.3 percent (18-of-23) from the free-throw line while the Mustangs shot 31.9 percent (15-of-47) from the floor, 26.1 percent (6-of-23) from beyond the arc and 46.2 percent (6-of-13) from the charity stripe. The Dustdevils held the advantage in steals (13-4) and assists (18-9). While the Mustangs led the way in rebounds (32-24) while both teams recorded a block apiece.

The Dustdevils close out the calendar year on Saturday, December 21 when they host an LSC matchup against UT Permian Basin (5-4, 2-1 LSC) at 1 p.m.