LAREDO, Texas – Texas A&M International women's basketball began its final home stand of the season in victorious fashion, winning a 74-73 thriller over Texas Woman's to set the program record for home wins in a single season.
 
The program record for wins in a season at home stood at 11 when the 2013-14 team finished 11-3 in the KCB, but now, it's this year's team who holds the record, improving to 12-2 at home tonight.
 
The first quarter was a back-and-forth battle, with neither team able to break open a significant lead, as both teams held leads of four points, and it was TAMIU holding a 19-15 after one quarter.
 
In the second quarter, the Dustdevils (15-8, 6-6 LSC) were remarkable from the field, shooting 8-for-9 from the floor and 5-for-6 from three to open up a 41-29 lead at the half, outscoring the Pioneers (16-7, 9-3 LSC) 22-14.
 
Texas Woman's fell behind by as many as 15 points in the third quarter, but managed to slightly trim the lead to 58-48 after winning the quarter, 19-17.
 
In the fourth quarter, TAMIU saw its only struggle from the floor come, allowing the Pioneers to come back in the game and trim the deficit all the way with 2:22 remaining, as the game was tied 69-69.
 
Down the stretch, freshman Evelyn Quiroz scored the final five Dustdevil points and TAMIU held off a couple buckets by Texas Woman's to hold on for the win.
 
The Dustdevils for the game shot 51% (26-for-51) from the floor and 53.8% (7-for-13) from deep. TAMIU converted at the free-throw line 15 of 23 attempts.
 
On the other side, the Pioneers finished 24-for-59 (40.7%) from the floor, 5-for-12 (41.7%) from deep and 20-for-27 from the free-throw line.
 
Sophomore Rai Brown led four Dustdevils who finished in double figures with 19 points, eight rebounds, three assists and a block before fouling out in the fourth quarter.
 
Senior Eva Langton scored a double-double with 13 points, 10 rebounds, five assists, two blocks and a steal. Sophomore Clara Fernandez chipped in 12 points, six rebounds and four steals, while fellow sophomore Emily Swiercz added 11 points.
 
TAMIU concludes its 2021-22 home schedule in the regular season on Saturday, Feb. 19 as they meet Midwestern State on Senior Day at 1 p.m.