LAREDO, Texas – Texas A&M International women's basketball was unable to withstand a fourth quarter surge by Arkansas Fort-Smith, who came back down 15 points to force overtime, but the Dustdevils would survive, defeating the Lions 84-81 in overtime.
 
The first three quarters all favored TAMIU (12-4, 3-2 LSC), with the Dustdevils holding an 18-12 lead after one quarter.
 
The lead over UAFS (3-13, 1-6 LSC) grew to 36-27 at the half, after TAMIU outscored the lions 18-15 in the second quarter.
 
Out of the locker room, the Dustdevils used a 9-0 run midway through the third to open up a 50-32 lead, its largest lead of the day of 18 points.
 
In the fourth quarter, the Lions began to chip away, but TAMIU still managed to hold onto a 10-point lead with three minutes remaining.
 
Over the final three minutes, UAFS outscored the Dustdevils 18-8, to send the contest to overtime.
 
In the overtime period, TAMIU jumped ahead with a quick 5-0 run and while the Lions fought to keep it close, the Dustdevils never relinquished the lead or allow the game to become tied to take home the victory.
 
TAMIU in the win shot 27-for-48 (56.3%) from the floor and 5-for-12 (41.7%) from deep. Those shooting numbers includes a third quarter in which the Dustdevils shot a perfect 6-for-6 from the field. At the free-throw line, TAMIU converted 25 of 33 attempts.
 
On the other side, UAFS shot 27-for-62 (43.5%) from the floor, 6-for-19 from three (31.6%) and made 21 of 25 free-throw attempts, including going 15-for-19 in the fourth quarter.
 
Four Dustdevils scored in double figures yet again, with sophomore Rai Brown leading the charge with 23 points, three rebounds and three blocks
 
Sophomore Clara Fernandez had another great game, despite fouling out, scoring 18 points.
 
Freshman Silvia Blanco scored 16 points with five rebounds, while fellow freshman Evelyn Quiroz had another stat stuffer game with 13 points, six rebounds, seven assists and three steals.
 
Freshman Evelyn Quiroz had the best game of her freshman campaign, earning her first career double-double and falling a rebound shy of a triple-double, with 15 points, nine rebounds and 11 assists.
 
TAMIU now looks forward to its first two-game road trip since before the Christmas holiday, as they open with UT Tyler in Tyler, Texas on Thursday, Jan. 27. Opening tip is scheduled for 5 p.m.