LAREDO, Texas – Fresh off a Lone Star Conference South Division Championship in 2020-21, Texas A&M International women's basketball opened the 2021-22 campaign in dominating fashion, defeating Chadron State 92-72.
 
The first quarter was high scoring as the Dustdevils (1-0, 0-0 LSC) led 26-19 after the first ten minutes. In the second quarter, it was again TAMIU putting up nearly 20 points, taking the second frame 19-12 to lead 45-31 at the half.
 
The Dustdevils shot 50% in the first half (17-34) and 6-15 from behind the arc. The first quarter saw 4-5 from three. After allowing the Eagles (0-2, 0-0 RMAC) to shot 7-11 in the first quarter, TAMIU limited Chadron State to just 3-14 in the second quarter.
 
The Dustdevils exploded again offensively out of the half, dropping 27 more points in the third quarter and upping its lead to 72-47 heading into the final stanza.
 
The Eagles would win the fourth quarter scoring, 25-20, but it wasn't nearly enough to catch up to TAMIU in the end.
 
The Dustdevils would finish the game shooting 47.8% (32-67) from the floor and 37% (10-27) from deep. Free throw shooting may be one point of emphasis, as TAMIU shot just 18-30 (60%) from the charity stripe.
 
Chadron State did shoot 41.1% themselves and were 6-18 from three. Free throw woes hit the Eagles as well, shooting 60.6% from the line.
 
Newcomer sophomore Raiana Brown led the Dustdevils with 19 points, four rebounds and five steals in just 17 minutes of action. Fellow newcomer sophomore Emily Swiercz had 17 points in 18 minutes and junior Clara Fernandez chipped in 13 points, five rebounds and five assists.
 
The ladies get an extended break as they don't take the floor until Saturday, Nov. 20. New Mexico Highlands enters Laredo that afternoon for a 1:30 p.m. tip.