LAREDO, Texas – Texas A&M International (5-1, 3-1 LSC) fell behind early, trailed by one at the half, but used a dominating 24-11 third quarter to open a double-digit lead in its 69-51 victory over Kentucky State University (0-1, 0-0 SIAC).
 
The Dustdevils trailed after the first quarter 19-16 and at the half 29-28 despite outshooting the Thorobreds. TAMIU shot 48% over the first 20 minutes and the Thorobreds shot 40%.
 
Senior Patrycja Jaworska had 11 points in the first-half, while fellow senior Nicole Heyn added nine points and five rebounds.
 
For the Thorobreds, the first half saw senior Erica Jones score eight points and junior's Deja Antoine and A'zia Reed added seven and six points respectively.
 
To open the third quarter, the Dustdevils started on fire. TAMIU opened the quarter on a 9-0 run that expanded to 15-2 over the first 4:44 to open a 12-point lead.
 
In the quarter, the Dustdevils shot 50% from both the floor and from three, while holding the Thorobreds to 28% from the floor and 13% from three.
 
Sophomore Clara Fernandez was the driving force of the second half scoring 13 points over the final two quarters, while senior Eva Langton added eight points.
 
For the game, TAMIU finished shooting 48% from the field and 29% from three. Kentucky State, in its first game of the season shot 33% from the floor and 18% from three.
 
For the Thorobreds, Jones led the way with 12 points, followed by nine points from both Anotoine and freshman Sarah Woghiren.
 
For the Dustdevils, Jaworska led the way with 19 points, six rebounds and two assists.
 
Heyn, the reigning Lone Star Conference Defensive Player of the Week finished the game with a double-double, scoring 16 points and 11 rebounds, while also adding six assists and three steals.
 
Fernandez was the third Dustdevil in double figures, scoring 15 points, eight rebounds, three blocks and three steals.
 
The Dustdevils return to action tomorrow in the series finale against the Thorobreds at 1 p.m.