Santa Maria Pushes Bulldogs Past Austin, 62-57
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Texas Lutheran (11-6, 8-1) | 11 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 62 |
|
Austin (6-11, 5-4) | 10 | 19 | 13 | 15 | 57 |
SHERMAN, TX -- Jayla Santa Maria (Edinburg/Edinburg) was the lone Bulldog in double-figures as she led the Bulldogs with 23 points as Texas Lutheran picked up a 62-57 victory at Austin College Tuesday night.
It was a total team effort in the first half as the Bulldogs (11-6, 8-1 SCAC), led by five points from Juliana Tapia (San Antonio/O'Connor), trailed 29-28 at halftime. Austin College (6-11, 5-4 SCAC) applied pressure in the first quarter as they gained a four-point lead midway through the first quarter. Freshmen Hannah Gallegos (San Antonio/Harlan) and Juliana Tapia aided the Bulldogs on a 5-0 run to close the first quarter to gain the advantage entering the second period. The Bulldogs were able to keep the 'Roos scoreless for the final five minutes of the opening quarter. Austin College would disrupt the Bulldogs offense in the second quarter - forcing seven Bulldogs turnovers in the quarter. Despite the turnovers, the 'Roos would only narrowly outscore the Bulldogs in the quarter - carrying a 29-28 lead into halftime.
Texas Lutheran and Austin College battled through a tightly contested third quarter, but Santa Maria hit a three with three seconds remaining to give the Bulldogs a 45-42 lead entering the final 10 minutes. Texas Lutheran held on in the final period as Santa Maria poured in 10 of her 23 points in the final quarter and the Bulldogs made their free throws when it mattered - despite shooting below their season average for the game - to win the game.
Kailee Mulkey (New Braunfels/New Braunfels) and Jenesis Navarro (San Antonio/Lee) posted eight points each with Navarro adding a team-high four assists and Mulkey collecting a team-high two steals. Tanyse Moehrig (Spring Branch/Smithson Valley) led all players with 11 rebounds. Texas Lutheran maintained a 43-35 advantage in rebounds.
The Bulldogs will have a short turnaround as they head to Houston to face the St. Thomas Celts on Friday. Tip-off is currently set for 7:30 PM. All streaming and stat links can be found on tlubulldogs.com.