LAREDO, Texas – Texas A&M International women's basketball solidified the best start in program history, upending UT Permian Basin 65-56 in non-conference action.
 
The Dustdevils (6-0, 0-0 LSC), for the first time in school history, won their first six games, surpassing the 5-0 start by the 2013-14 team.
 
Both teams slugged it out for 40 minutes, and scoring was hard to come by early.
 
After one quarter, TAMIU led 14-11 and the score at halftime was just 29-22.
 
Despite the Falcons (1-7, 0-0 LSC) defense playing well, the Dustdevils still managed to shoot 50% from the floor in the first half, but were 0-6 from behind the arc.
 
TAMIU finally started to breakthrough in the third and early fourth quarter, opening up a 19-point lead.
 
However, UTPB wouldn't go away and began to chip away in the fourth quarter. Down 19, the Falcons would go on a 12-0 run over 3:08 to trim the lead to just seven.
 
The Dustdevils never allowed the game to get any closer and would solidify the 65-56 victory.
 
TAMIU in the hard-fought effort still finished the game shooting 53.2% (25-for-47) from the floor, but were just 3-for-13 from three.
 
The Dustdevils did outrebound the Falcons 24-21, but both teams committed 27 turnovers.
 
UTPB on the other hand shot just 37.5% (18-for-48) from the field and also struggled from three, going 3-for-16 on the afternoon.
 
TAMIU had three players in double figures and sophomore Clara Fernandez led the way with 20 points (6-for-8 FG and 8-for-10 FT), five rebounds, two assists and two steals.
 
Sophomore Rai Brown followed behind with 14 points on 7-for-8 shooting, six rebounds and five steals in just 26 minutes.
 
Senior Eva Langton was the third player in double figures, scoring 13 points on 6-for-7 shooting with four rebounds and four assists.
 
After a perfect 6-0 start, all at home, the Dustdevils take to the road for the first time this season as they travel to Florida for a pair of games, one regular season and one exhibition.
 
Saint Leo is the first opponent for TAMIU in regular season play and tip-off from Saint Leo, Fla. on Wednesday, Dec. 8 is slated for 7 p.m. EST/6 p.m. CST.