AUSTIN – Huston-Tillotson University's women's basketball team snapped a four-game losing streak Tuesday as they defeated Red River Athletic Conference rival Texas College 90-73.
At HT's Branch Gymnasium, freshman
Aliyah Carter scored 22 points – including 19 in the second half – to lead four Huston-Tillotson players scoring in double-figures as the Rams head into the Christmas break on a winning note. She also handed out six assists.
Summer Thomas turned in a double-double performance for the Rams (6-7, 5-5 RRAC) by scoring 15 points and securing 10 rebounds.
Wilashia Burleson finished a rebound shy of a double-double of her own, as she scored 21 points on 8-of-13 shooting in addition to her nine rebounds.
Destiny Stanford matched Thomas' output with 15 points. She also handed out eight assists and blocked four shots in the game.
Tyler Pyburn scored 21 points to lead Texas College (3-9, 2-7 RRAC). Keaundra Kelly and Cree McClemore scored 18 points for the Steers; Kelly also recorded a double-double, as she pulled in 10 rebounds.
The Rams sizzled early as they shot 12-of-20 (60 percent) from the floor as they built a 30-16 lead at the end of the first quarter. HT kept its lead in double-figures for the most of the second quarter before the Steers ended the period by outscoring the Rams 11-3 over the last minute and 16 seconds before halftime.
Texas College made all four of its final shots during the first half's final 76 seconds. Kelly made three consecutive shots – including two 3-pointers – to end the period as send the visitors into halftime trailing HT by only six points at 47-41.
The third quarter saw the teams battle back-and-forth as neither side managed to shoot better than 38.1 percent from the floor during that frame (HT – 8 of 21, 38.1 percent; TC – 6 of 20, 30 percent). The Rams re-established a comfortable lead with nine unanswered points over a two-and-a-half-minute span late in the third quarter.
Stanford capped that run with a steal and a fast-break layup to give the Rams a 66-53 lead with 1:09 left to play in the third quarter. That run also included four successful free throws from Carter; she finished the game with an 11-of-12 showing at the free throw line.
Ending the third period with a 72-59 lead, the Rams kept their lead safe in the final quarter as the Steers were unable to cut the advantage back to single digits. HT led by as many as 18 points in the game.
Tuesday's win was HT's eighth consecutive triumph over Texas College.
The Rams return to action in the New Year when they visit Texas A&M–Texarkana on Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025. HT's doubleheader at Jarvis Christian, originally scheduled for Jan. 2, has been pushed back into February.
– HT –
