HOUSTON – The HBU women's basketball team beat the Southwestern Assemblies of God (TX) Lions 64-54 in Sharp Gym Saturday afternoon. Three different Huskies scored in double figures, including a double-double from N'Denasija Collins.
 
The Huskies (4-6, 0-0 SLC) and the Lions (4-6, 1-4 SAC) opened the game trading baskets as SAGU jumped out to a 6-4 lead. HBU stepped on the gas from there, going on a 16-2 run over the next four minutes to take a 20-8 lead. Julija Vujakovic ended the quarter with a mid-range jumper and a pair of free throws to give the Huskies a 24-13 lead heading into the second quarter.
 
HBU picked up right where they left off in the second quarter, coming out on a 6-1 run to stretch their lead to 30-14. The remainder of the first half saw the Huskies struggle from the floor shooting just 2-11 from the field. They were however able to knock down big free throws and force turnovers to maintain their lead, 40-25, heading into halftime.

SAGU played great defense in the second half, holding the Huskies to 25.8 percent shooting from the floor. The Huskies lead however proved to be too big for the Lions to rally back from. HBU forced key turnovers in the third quarter that led to fast break points, ending several Lions' runs. The Huskies owned the boards the entire afternoon, outrebounding the Lions 56-37, including 23 offensive rebounds that led to 19 second chance points.
 
The first half of the fourth quarter saw the Huskies stretch their lead to 19 on a pair of made free throws from Kennedy Wilson and a layup from Felicity Horford. The Lions made a late push, going on an 11-2 run over the last four minutes of the game, but the Husky lead was too much to overcome. The Huskies walked away winners, 64-54.
 
For the game, Julija Vujakovic led the Huskies in scoring with 16 points including three made three pointers, Collins recorded her third double-double of the season to the tune of 14 points and 12 rebounds, and Kennedy Wilson poured in 12 points of her own, going 5-10 from the field. Enya Maguire added six points on two made three balls and added four boards and four assists. Marilyn Nzoiwu and Elizabeth Matadi each recorded two blocks while Abbey Sutherland and Felicity Hilford each had a pair of steals.
 
The Lions were led in scoring by Autumn Moore who knocked down six of her ten shots from the floor. Jazra Williams added eight points and Jaycie Briscoe added five.
 
For the game, the Huskies shot an impressive 17-19 from the foul line, forced 19 turnovers and held SAGU to 32 percent shooting from the floor and 23 percent shooting from deep.

The Huskies will travel to New Mexico to play New Mexico State next Friday, their first of eight consecutive games away from Sharp Gym. It also begins a five game stretch that Husky games will be streamed exclusively on ESPN+.