Box Score

HOBBS, NM: The Texas Wesleyan University women’s basketball team (17-3, 9-3 RRAC) took a 66-61 win at the University of the Southwest (5-13, 3-9) in Red River Athletic Conference Action on Thursday.

 

Texas Wesleyan pounded USW 78-37 in Fort Worth earlier this season; however, the Mustangs came out with a different intensity on their home floor. USW score the first five points of the game, but Texas Wesleyan rallied for an 8-7 lead on a jumper from Nicole Terral. The lead changed hands three more times before reaching its third tie at 21-21 with five minutes to play. On USW’s next possession, Selena Florez drilled a deep three as the shot clock expired. The Mustangs pushed ahead by as many as seven, 33-26. Eliana Mijangos ended the period with her third three-pointer of the half to cut the margin to 33-39 at the intermission.

 

The Rams took control quickly in the second half using a 19-7 run that stretched nine minutes and left the Rams with a healthy 48-40 advantage. Just when it appeared Texas Wesleyan would put the game away, Florez drained another deep three. The Mustangs got a defensive stop and Florez cut the score to 50-47 with 8:44 to play.

 

The game remained tight the rest of the way. Another triple from Florez tied the game at 59. Veronica Mergerson answered for the Rams hitting six free throws in six attempts in the final minutes to seal the 66-61 win.

 

Mergerson poured in a season-high 27 points to go with nine rebounds in the win. Mijangos and Nicole Terral each posted 11 points. Octavia Mullins brought down 14 rebounds, while Tiffany Adair notched a solid nine points and eight rebounds.

 

For the game, the Mustangs outshot the Rams 38%-32%. The Rams dominated the glass 46-38 and held a 20-2 advantage in second chance points.

 

Florez led the Mustangs with 23 points, while Dominique Haywood finished with a double-double on 12 points and 11 rebounds.