Posted: Feb 24, 2023
SAN ANTONIO, Texas - Kailee Mulkey scored a game-high 18 points in leading fourth-seeded Texas Lutheran University to a 63-54 victory over fifth-seeded University of Dallas Friday afternoon in the quarterfinal round of the 2023 SCAC Women's Basketball Tournament. Official Tournament Website | Photo Gallery | Postgame Interview | Women's Tournament Stats
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Texas Lutheran jumped out to an early 11-4 first quarter lead thanks to a pair of free throws from Davi'yanna Jones.
- The Bulldogs pushed the lead to 22-9 at the 7:40 mark of the second quarter after Taylor Skurka's mid-range jumper.
- After a timeout, Dallas cut the lead to 22-14 thanks to a three-pointer from Caroline Croft with just under seven minutes before halftime.
- Texas Lutheran took a 30-19 lead at halftime.
- In the third quarter, TLU pushed its lead to 36-23 after a jumper from Kailee Mulkey at the 6:37-mark.
- Dallas fought back and cut the Texas Lutheran lead to 41-33 late in the period.
- The Bulldogs raced back out to a 10-point lead midway through the fourth before the Crusaders were able to get to within five, at 50-45 with just over a minute to play after a pair of Imani Hardin free throws.
- Texas Lutheran was then able to hold off the late Dallas comeback bid.
- TLU's defense held Dallas to under 40 percent shooting (17-of-46), including just 25 percent from beyond the arc (4-of-16).
- The Bulldogs held a decisive 22-9 margin in bench points while also outrebounding the Crusaders by a 32-27 edge.
TEXAS LUTHERAN STATISTICAL STANDOUTS
- Kailee Mulkey: 18 points, seven rebounds, four steals
- Davi'yanna Jones: 11 points, four rebounds
- Lauren Sansano: 11 points, five rebounds, five assists, 9-of-9 FT's
UNIVERSITY OF DALLAS STATISTICAL STANDOUTS
- Alyss Sullivan: 11 points, three rebounds
- Imani Hardin: 10 points, eight rebound
- Tessa Hastings: 10 points, two rebounds
NOTABLES
- Friday's game marked the first-ever SCAC tournament meeting between the two schools.
- UD and TLU had split their regular season matchups this season, with both winning on their home floor. Texas Lutheran's 85-52 victory on Jan. 20 was their widest margin of victory in any conference game they played this season.
- TLU's defense held Dallas to under 40 percent shooting (17-of-46), including just 25 percent from beyond the arc (4-of-16).
- The Bulldogs held a decisive 22-9 margin in bench points while also outrebounding the Crusaders by a 32-27 edge.
- With Friday's win, Texas Lutheran advances to the semifinal round for the fifth consecutive year and ninth time in program history. Top-seeded Trinity awaits TLU in the semifinals, setting up the seventh SCAC tournament matchup between the two. Trinity holds a 4-2 edge in those previous six matchups, including an 87-54 victory over the Bulldogs in the 2020 semifinals.
- Dallas ends its season with an 11-14 record.
UP NEXT
Texas Lutheran (14-11) advances to take on top-seeded Trinity University in Saturday's first women's semifinal. Tip-off is scheduled for 12 p.m.
Texas Lutheran (14-11) advances to take on top-seeded Trinity University in Saturday's first women's semifinal. Tip-off is scheduled for 12 p.m.
