EDINBURG, Texas – HBU used a 15-2 run in the final seven-plus minutes to cut a 15-point deficit to two, 74-72. After Rickell Preston made one of two free throws to give UTPA a 75-72 lead,
Ekemini Essien's three-point shot hit the back of the rim as the Huskies lost at UT-Pan American, 75-72, Saturday afternoon from the UTPA Fieldhouse.
Shanice Steenholdt scored 24 points to lead HBU (2-3), as she was one rebound shy of a double-double.
Monet Neal scored a career-high 23 points, as she went 8-for-12 from the floor and 7-of-12 from the line. She pulled down eight rebounds, as she also dished out two assists and had one block and one steal.
Rachel Arthur grabbed a career-high six rebounds, as she scored six points.
Shawnte' Goff led UTPA (5-3) with 31 points, on 11-of-21 shooting. She went 5-for-10 from beyond the arc and 4-of-9 from the charity stripe. Goff also registered five rebounds, five assists, four steals, and one block. Rickell Preston had 15 points and seven rebounds off the bench.
UTPA never led in the first half until Goff's three-pointer at the buzzer gave the Broncs a 40-39 lead at the break. It was one of five treys made for UTPA in the opening half.
HBU began the game scoring eight of the first 10 points. The Broncs battled back to tie the Huskies at 27-all with six minutes remaining in the opening half, on a Preston jumper. After each team exchanged buckets to remain tied at 29-29 with 5:18 to go, HBU used a 7-0 run to take a 36-29 lead with 3:36 remaining in the first half. Both
Heidi Sihvola and Arthur had three-point plays in the run.
UTPA chipped away, as Goff hit a three-pointer to put the Broncs within four, 36-32, with 3:24 to go. But the Broncs continued to go on an 8-3 run to close out the first half to lead the Huskies at the break, 40-39.
Maisie Elston had made a fast-break layup with 23 seconds remaining to put the Huskies up 39-37, but Goff's third 3-pointer of the half gave the Broncs the lead heading into the locker room.
Steenholdt led HBU with 15 first-half points, shooting 7-of-9 from the floor and 1-of-2 from the line. Neal led the Huskies with five rebounds. Goff had a half-high 16 points for UTPA, going 5-of-13 from the floor, 3-of-8 from beyond the arc, and 3-of-3 from the charity stripe. Three different Broncs had four rebounds.
UTPA began the second half scoring the first five points of the half and outscoring HBU, 10-2, to take a nine-point lead, 50-41, forcing HBU to take a timeout at the 14:48-mark.
The Broncs used a 30-8 run from the 3:28-mark of the first half until the 12:32-mark of the second half to lead HBU by 13, 59-46.
HBU continued to chip away at the deficit. Down 15, 72-57, with 7:49 remaining in regulation, Sihvola hit a jumper prior to the second media timeout of the half, giving HBU a little life.
Maisie Elston grabbed an offensive rebound at the 5:45-mark and Essien made the layup and was fouled on the play. She missed the free throw, but HBU was only down seven, 72-65.
Down five, 74-69, with three minutes to go, Steenholdt stole the ball from Preston at mid-court, resulting in a foul. Making one of two free throws, the Huskies were down only four, 74-70.
Goff was fouled and missed both free throws, but T'Ondria Nolen grabbed a huge offensive rebound, allowing the Broncs to run more time off the clock, leading by four with 1:07 to go.
Steenholdt made a jumper with 43 seconds left, cutting the deficit to two, 74-72. Neal forced a huge offensive foul on Goff, giving HBU the ball with the chance to tie or take the lead with 24 seconds remaining. Neal went for a layup with 10 seconds, but was blocked by Brittany Bush. The Huskies intentionally fouled and Preston made the front end of two free throws, giving HBU a chance down three with two seconds left. Steenholdt sent a Hail Mary down the length of the court which was caught by Essien. Christian Laettner-esque, she turned and shot at the top of the key, but the ball hit the back of the rim as UTPA held on.
Neal led all players with 16 second-half points, while Goff had 15 points for UTPA.
HBU plays at UTEP next Saturday, Dec. 6 at 3 pm central.
