LAREDO, Texas – Texas A&M International women's basketball fell for the first time in the 2021-22 season on the road against Saint Leo, 89-80.
 
The Dustdevils (6-1, 0-0 LSC) jumped ahead early with four points from Rai Brown, but the sophomore who came in averaging over 21.8 points per game had to exit early, playing just the opening minute.
 
TAMIU still held the lead with 5:21 remaining in the first quarter, but the Lions (5-4, 2-1 SSC) countered with a 10-0 run over the next five minutes and lead 16-11 after one.
 
In the second quarter, Saint Leo opened a 15 point, 31-16 and held a 33-22 lead at the half.
 
The Dustdevils fell behind in the third quarter by as many as 17, but cut the deficit to just 56-49 by the end of the quarter.
 
In the fourth, the Lion lead grew to 15 again, opening on an 8-0 run, but TAMIU climbed back within five points on two separate occasions, but it was the closest it got.
 
The Dustdevils concluded the night shooting 43.9% from the floor (25-for-57), 50% from three (11-for-22) and 19-for-24 from the free throw line.
 
Saint Leo shot 46.7% from the field (28-for-60), 6-for-13 from deep and 27-for-32 from the charity stripe.
 
Points off turnovers was a key figure in the game as TAMIU scored 17 on 16 Lion turnovers, while Saint Leo scored 25 points off 23 Dustdevil giveaways.
 
TAMIU had three players in double figures with senior Eva Langton leading the way with 22 points, three assists, three steals and three blocks.
 
Freshman Kayla Presley scored a career-high 18 points to go with five rebounds and three steals, while fellow freshman Evelyn Quiroz scored 12 points alongside five rebounds and nine assists.
 
After suffering its first defeat, the Dustdevils take the floor one more time in the Sunshine State, in an exhibition contest against NCAA Division I Florida A&M on Saturday, Dec. 11 in Tallahassee, Fla. Opening tip is scheduled for 2 p.m. EST/1 p.m. CST.