LAREDO, TEXAS – Women's basketball dropped to 2-2 on the season after falling behind early and dropping one to the undefeated Texas A&M-International Dustdevils (4-0) by a score of 81-49.
In a game featuring few highlights for the Lions, forward
Artaejah Gay delivered solid production off the bench with eight points, seven rebounds, and a block.
Gabby Scott was the lone Lion to reach double digits in any category with 10 points, also off the bench.
"We didn't come to play defensively, and we didn't react well offensively," said head coach
Jason Burton, "They took away our inside early, and we didn't do a good job at reversing the ball. They forced us to shoot jump shots, and we weren't making them."
Despite the Dustdevils entering the game with four players who averaged seven or more boards per game, the Lions managed to keep the rebounding battle close at 37-42 thanks in large part to the efforts of both Gay and senior forward
Abigail Leaupepe-Tele, both of whom grabbed seven boards on the evening
The Lions trailed 46-22, and things would only get worse from there. Led by senior guard Stella Ghazarian, who shot five of seven from distance in the opening frame, TAMIU peppered the Lions with a barrage of first half threes, shooting nine of 15 from beyond the arc compared to the Lions two of ten.
By the time the game was over, Ghazarian was one of four Dustdevils to reach double-digit scoring, including Kiana Mathews who nearly logged a triple-double with 12 points, 10 assists and 8 rebounds. Jessica Prieto was a menace in all phases as well, logging 17 points to go with her four assists, five boards, two blocks and three steals.
"The bright spot about this is we learned a lot about our team tonight," said Burton, "We learned that we need to get in the gym and shoot a lot more, and we've got to be more efficient against zones. Not only tonight, but we're about to go up against a Southern Arkansas team that's known for zones."
The Lions will take the Thanksgiving break to lick their wounds before once again hitting the road on Saturday, November 29 at 2 p.m. in Magnolia, Arkansas, where they will take on the Southern Arkansas Muleriders (3-2).
