Crusaders fall in Season Opener to LeTourneau University on Tuesday Night
IRVING, Texas – The University of Dallas women's basketball team dropped its season-opening contest to LeTourneau University, 82-41, on Tuesday night in the Maher Center. Dallas slumped shooting 20.5 percent from the field overall and 27.8 percent (5-18) from three-point range in the game. The YellowJackets (1-0) overwhelmed UD causing 26 turnovers with 16 steals and added six blocked shots.
LeTourneau scored 18 points in each quarter of the first half to take a commanding lead and would go on to shoot 46.5 percent (33-71) from the field and 31 percent (9-19) from three.
The Crusaders (0-1) got off to a slow start allowing the first nine points and not getting on the board until 6:34 left on a layup by Jules Oliveti (Southlake, Texas). UD would eventually trail 36-12 at halftime.
Out of the break, Gracie Williams (Midwest City, Okla.) drained a three-pointer and came up with a block on the next possession to look to give Dallas a chance at a run. The Crusaders would play the third quarter to the tightest margin on the night with a five-point deficit (15-10) and then scored its most points in a period in the last one with 19. LETU also posted its highest margin with 31.
Beyonce Perry (Lake Jackson, Texas) scored a team-high 14 points, going 8-of-8 at the free throw line. Williams chipped in 11 points. Oliveti and Madi Horne (Paradise, Texas) led the team with five rebounds apiece. Eight different players did appear for Dallas and reached the scoring column. A quartet of freshmen made their debuts including: Perry, Alissa Dutton (Houston, Texas), Horne, and Rhyan Colbert (McKinney, Texas).
UD would shoot 18-for-20 from the charity stripe, while the YellowJackets would slump to a 7-for-16 mark.
The YellowJackets had a trio of players score double-digits, which all were their starters, led by Vanessa Cruz with 15. Bailey Lightfoot put in 13 points, including a team-most three made trifectas. Keauna Whitfield rounded out the unit with 11. Flora Akingbade hauled down seven rebounds to lead the team's 45 group effort. 14 different YellowJackets had a board.
UP NEXT
Dallas hits the road a week from today to face Southwestern Adventist University. First tip is at 5:30 p.m.