PORTALES, N.M. – Texas A&M International women's basketball opened a road trip against Eastern New Mexico on Thursday, but it was the host Greyhounds coming out victorious, 73-67.
 
TAMIU (11-8, 4-6 LSC) was in a defensive battle early, as it trailed just 10-9 after one quarter.
 
Eastern New Mexico (8-8, 5-6 LSC) would open the second quarter on a 9-2 run and would have its lead to 31-23 going into the locker room.
 
Out of the break, the Greyhounds would build a double-digit lead in the third quarter to lead 48-33 going into the fourth.
 
In the fourth, the Dustdevils deficit grew to 55-35 with 6:55 remaining, but TAMIU would fight back, getting it to within four points, but it was too little too late to finish the comeback.
 
For the game, TAMIU shot 50.9% (27-for-59) from the floor, and 8-for-19 (42.1%) from deep. From the charity stripe, TAMIU went just 5-for-8.
 
On the other side, ENMU shot just 30.8% (20-for-65) from the field, but were 12-for-35 (34.3%) from three and were 21-for-29 at the charity stripe.
 
Sophomore Barbara Turkalj continued her stretch of great play, with a team high 18 points.
 
Junior Rai Brown followed with 14 points and six rebounds, while fellow junior Marija Bakic was the third player in double-figures with 13 points.
 
Junior Clara Fernandez filled the stat sheet with five points, six rebounds, two assists and three steals.
 
The Dustdevils return to the floor on Saturday, Jan. 21 when they face Western New Mexico at 2 p.m. CST/1 p.m. MST.