LAREDO, Texas – Texas A&M International (9-4, 7-4 LSC) returned to its home floor for the first time since Jan 14 and cruised to a 98-60 victory over UT Tyler (0-12, 0-12 LSC) to clinch the LSC South Division Championship and a berth in the LSC Conference Tournament for the first time.
 
The Dustdevils opened the game and established a double-digit lead early in the first quarter before taking a 28-12 lead into the second quarter.
 
TAMIU topped its first quarter production, outscoring the Patriots 31-10 in the second frame to take a 59-22 lead into the break.
 
The first half saw the Dustdevils shoot a strong 54% from the floor and 50% (9-for-18) from three.
 
Defensively, TAMIU was equally as stout, limiting the Patriots to just 26% from the field and 1-for-4 from three.
 
UT Tyler found live in the third quarter, opening on a 12-4 run and eventually taking the third frame by a score of 25-19.
 
The Dustdevils put the final exclamation point on the game in a 20-13 fourth quarter to clinch the South Division and the LSC Tournament bid.
 
For the game, TAMIU shot 49% from the floor and 40% from three, connecting on 15-for-38 shots from behind the arc, tying the second most in a single game in program history. On the other hand, UT Tyler shot just 37%, however shot 43% from three, making 6-of-14.
 
The Dustdevils were led by freshman Ally Winnen who scored a team-high 23 points and added 10 rebounds for her first career double-double, while senior Nicole Heyn who secured her third double-double of the season, scoring 22 rebounds while adding 12 rebounds and three steals.
 
Senior Patrycja Jaworska put together a 12 point, eight assist outing and freshman Silvia Blanco (11 points) and sophomore Clara Fernandez (10 points) all scored in double figures as well.
 
UT Tyler was led by Taylor Jackson who scored a game high 24 points and added seven rebounds. Tyreesha Blaylock also scored in double figures for the Patriots with 10 points.
 
With the division clinched, the Dustdevils still have two orders of business to deal with in conference and it's a two-game weekend series against Angelo State beginning Friday. Tip is scheduled for 5 p.m.