Stoia's Big Night lifts Women's Basketball to First Win of Campaign

IRVING, Texas – Junior Seana Stoia (Tulsa, Okla.) caught fire early, shooting a perfect 6-of-6 from the field for a 15-point first half, to help propel the University of Dallas women's basketball team (1-3) to a 68-38 victory over Dallas Christian College on Thursday evening. First-year head coach Greta Grothe captured her first win at the helm of the Lady Crusaders. The home team shot a season-best, 51 percent (26-51) from the field in the third home-opener in the past four years.

Dallas was held scoreless through nearly the first four minutes of the opening quarter. The visitors had scored four points during the span, with the first field goal of the game occurring on a layup by Sapora Richard with 8:21 minutes until the first break. A trifecta by UD's junior Sammi Tso (Las Vegas, Nev.) would end the drought.

Stoia knotted the contest 4-all with a free throw on the next possession. The Tulsa, Oklahoma, native would be responsible for the next 15 points on the Navy and White, which carried through to the second quarter. DCC traded points and would hold a narrow advantage near the end of the first frame, but Stoia's back-to-back treys tied and lifted Dallas 15-12. Her initial field goal ignited a 14-0 run. After the forward's stretch of scoring, classmate Holly Tonry (Seattle, Wash.) chipped in with a three-pointer and two free throws. The make on the front-end of two at the charity stripe opened the first double-digit edge (22-12) for Dallas.

The Crusaders had more than enough momentum to build a 29-16 halftime lead, and would win by its largest gap dating back to last season's 91-50 triumph verse Centenary College on February 6 at the Maher Center.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• Notably in the first stanza, Stoia had shot a perfect 6-for-6 from the field and 3-for-3 beyond downtown. Her performance matched a career-high in points with 23 and set a personal best seven made field goals. Finished 7-of-8 from the field, and was a rebound shy of a double-double with nine.
• In the second half, Nicole Johnson (Houston, Texas) was a spark off the bench with 10 points in just as many minutes. Eight of her points happened in under a three-minute span in the fourth.
• Helping Dallas form a trio of double figure scoriers was Tso with 14 points. The guard also dished out a season-high six assists. Tonry added four as the team outdid its opponent 21-8.
• The Lady Crusaders only committed seven fouls in the game, with three in the first half. Dallas Christian was whistled for 17 and sent UD to the line that many times. Dallas won the battle on the boards 51-29.
• The guests shot 22.1 percent (15-68) from the field and 12 percent (3-25). Richard and Shamara Taylor broke double figures with 12 and 11 points, respectively. Ta'kela Taylor grabbed seven rebounds for a team-high.
• The Crusaders from Farmers Branch, Texas, forced UD into 26 turnovers with 16 steals, and committed only 12 miscues.

QUOTE FROM HEAD COACH

"Anytime you can hold a team to 38 points you have played well defensively. Offensively we turned the ball over too much, but I am proud of the girls' effort on both sides of the floor. Stoia showed tonight the quality of player she is." –Head Coach Greta Grothe

UP NEXT

Dallas prepares for rematch with Hendrix College on Sunday, December 6. Tip-off at the Maher Center is at 2 p.m.