By Alan Wiederhold
HT Athletic Communications
BOX SCORE
LAREDO, Texas – A short-handed Huston-Tillotson University women's basketball team gave NCAA Division II Texas A&M International all it could handle Thursday before the host Dustdevils eventually claimed an 80-62 win.
HT guard Jade Hilliary scored a game-high 24 points for the Rams in their exhibition contest. The sophomore guard from San Antonio, Texas (South San Antonio HS) shot 10-of-17 from the field and made all three of the Rams' 3-pointers, draining 3-of-7 shots from behind the arc.
Playing in her seventh basketball contest of the season since joining the team at the conclusion of HT's volleyball season, freshman center Hayley Broussard turned in a double-double performance, scoring 14 points and securing 15 rebounds.
HT outrebounded the Dustdevils 55-42, which helped the Rams stay within striking distance of their hosts until the game's final quarter. The Rams' 25 offensive rebounds matched A&M International's 25 defensive rebounds, despite the Dustdevils having a bigger roster in terms of average height AND number of available players.
Broussard pulled nine of her rebounds off the offensive boards, while her volleyball and hoops teammate Haven Verrett recorded 14 rebounds – seven on each end of the court – while chipping in six points. Sophomore forward Serese Williams grabbed 15 rebounds – seven on offense – in addition to scoring two points.
After the Dustdevils took a 10-point lead with the first basket of the second half, the Rams hooved their way back into striking distance, HT cut the TAMIU lead to 40-36 with Xaria Culver's fast-break layup and subsequent free throw after drawing a foul with 6:53 remaining in the quarter; Culver finished the game with eight points.
The Dustdevils responded with 12 unanswered points that rebuilt a 52-36 lead with 1:26 left to play. The home team maintained a double-digit lead for the remainder of the game but never pushed that lead over 20 points.
Only eight HT players made the 235-mile trek down Interstate Highway 35 to Laredo, who spent slightly more time on that freeway than one does getting to other points in Austin when leaving HT at 5 p.m. most workdays. Head coach Kendall DuCree opted not to hinder Wilashia Burleson's recovery from illness; as the leading scorer and rebounder for HT and the HBCU Athletic Conference, Burleson's presence might have put a bigger scare into the Dustdevils.
Dacia Jones led A&M International with 21 points. Carmen Morcillo added 18 points for the Dustdevils.
NEXT UP:
The Rams will a week to enjoy the Christmas and holiday break before returning to campus to prepare for a Dec. 29 exhibition at NCAA Division I Texas State. HT will then visit Our Lady of the Lake for an NAIA clash the following afternoon in San Antonio.
HT's Dec. 20 game in Houston at the University of St. Thomas has been cancelled. The Rams' next home game at HT's Branch Gymnasium is scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026, when the men's and women's basketball team resume conference play with a doubleheader against Philander Smith (Ark.).
– HT –
