Laredo, Texas – The Dustdevils (21-5, 13-5) faced the #9 Pioneers of Texas Woman's (23-3, 17-1) in Lone Star Conference play Thursday evening at the TAMIU KCB and fell, 91-85.
The game started with TAMIU taking the lead, showcasing strong offensive plays and accurate shooting, particularly from
Ngozi Obineke and
Raiana Brown. However, the Texas Woman's defense held its ground, limiting the Dustdevils' scoring opportunities. Leila Patel led the Pioneers with precise shooting, keeping the score close. The quarter concluded with TAMIU holding a 24-15 lead.
The Texas Woman's Pioneers staged a remarkable comeback in the second quarter, demonstrating exceptional offensive efficiency. Leila Patel continued to shine, leading her team in scoring, while Ashley Ingram's strong presence in the paint contributed to the Pioneers' comeback. The Dustdevils faced challenges in maintaining their first-quarter momentum, allowing the Pioneers to outscore them 31-16 in the second quarter. The halftime score favored Texas Woman's, leading 46-40.
The third quarter witnessed a spirited effort from both teams. TAMIU sought to regain control, with
Ngozi Obineke displaying resilience in her offensive contributions. However, the Pioneers maintained their composure, with balanced scoring from multiple players. Jada Celsur's playmaking skills and Scout Huffman's defensive efforts were instrumental for Texas Woman's. The quarter concluded with the Pioneers narrowing the gap and trailing 64-61.
In a thrilling final quarter, the Texas Woman's Pioneers, led by Leila Patel and Caroline Glud Rasmussen, outscored the Dustdevils 30-21. Despite the Dustdevils' efforts, the Pioneers' strong finish secured the victory. The final score favored Texas Woman's, winning 91-85.
Ngozi Obineke led the Dustdevils with 20 points.
Raiana Brown added 18 points with
Samiyah Worrell and
Malea Jackson also scoring in double figures with 12 points and 10 points respectively.
The Dustdevils return to action on Saturday, February 17 for Senior Day at 1pm against UT Tyler in the TAMIU KCB.
