HOUSTON – After a tight first period, HBU led at the half by 10, then outscored LeTourneau, 23-9, in the fourth period to pull away for the 68-47 victory in a non-conference women's basketball tilt in Sharp Gym Monday evening.
Junior center Marilyn Nzoiwu and sophomore forward N'Denasija Collins led the Huskies both scoring 12 points on the night. Collins added four rebounds and six steals, while Nzoiwu led with eight rebounds and two blocks. Junior guard Julija Vujakovic and freshman guard Armani Reed both contributed eight points, with Vujakovic adding six rebounds. Sophomore guard Timia Jefferson also reached double figures with 10 points.
AJ Thomas led the Yellow Jackets with 13 points, seven rebounds, and three steals and Briona Andrews scored 12 points. Malacia Guy contributed 11 points, five rebounds, and five assists.
Both teams tied with 38 rebounds and went 11-for-13 at the line, but HBU shot 40 percent from the field and held LeTourneau to 29.4 percent. The Huskies only had 14 turnovers, while forcing 28 LeTourneau turnovers, resulting in 25 points for the Huskies. HBU went 5-of-14 from 3-point range, while the Yellow Jackets only made 6-of-24.
Jefferson dropped a 3-pointer leading to a 12-5 lead at the start of the game, but LeTourneau closed in with the Huskies only up 18-13 to end the first. The Huskies pull away halfway through the second period with a 3-pointer from Kennedy Wilson for a 30-16 margin. LeTourneau inched closer leading to the Huskies only up by 10 going 32-22 into the half. Nzoiwu scored 10 first half points and seven rebounds.
Collins started the second half by drawing a foul and landing a couple of free throws as the Huskies maintained a double-digit advantage throughout most of the period, until the Yellow Jackets made a late push to outscore the Huskies, 16-13, and outrebounded, 12-7.
With a fierce performance from Reed, Jefferson, and freshman guard Enya Maguire, the Huskies took control early in the fourth with a 9-0 run with 8:21 left in the game. The Huskies kept the pressure up through the end of the game, outscoring their opponent 23-9, leading to the 21-point win.
The Huskies will return Friday with a location change to Sharp Gym against Grand Canyon at 2 p.m.
