STAFFORD, Texas – Poor shooting in the third quarter doomed Huston-Tillotson University's women's basketball team Saturday as they fell 63-51 at North American (Texas).
The host Stallions scored 16 of the first 18 points over the first five minutes of the third quarter to establish an 18-point lead and cruise to a victory over the Rams, giving the teams a season split of the series. HT won the first matchup in November 71-53 in Austin.
Summer Thomas led the Rams (8-11, 7-9 RRAC) with 13 points and eight rebounds at North American. She also blocked three shots in the game.
Destiny Stanford added 11 points for HT, going 7-for-7 at the free throw line.
The Stallions' Victoria Moore scored 15 points to lead four North American (9-10, 8-8 RRAC) players in double-figures Saturday.
The two teams were fairly even throughout the first half as the Stallions took a 31-27 lead into halftime. HT used a run of nine unanswered points over an 88-second span midway through the second quarter to turn a 21-16 deficit into a 25-21 lead, the Rams' largest lead of the contest.
HT's shooting prowess did not continue immediately after halftime, as the Rams shot 11 percent (2 of 18) from the field in the third quarter. North American outscored the Rams 16-2 over the period's first five minutes to stretch the Stallion lead to 47-29. The Stallions kept their lead in double-digits for the remainder of the game.
For the game, the Rams shot 26 percent (17 of 66) from the floor, while North American 34.4 percent (22 of 64).
Aliyah Carter and
AaKiyah Sorrells scored six points apiece for the Rams.
Tyaija Coleman scored five points, grabbed eight rebounds and blocked four shots for HT.
The Rams return to action Tuesday, Jan. 28, when they host Texas A&M–San Antonio at HT's Branch Gymnasium. Tipoff is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.
– HT –
