Big Nights from Stoia and DeCoud lead Crusaders by Randall on Tuesday
IRVING, Texas – A stronger second half for the University of Dallas women's basketball team (2-1) helped edge Randall University (3-4) in a 70-62 victory on Tuesday. The Crusaders matched each quarter in the second half with 17 points, headlined by season-high scoring performances by Seana Stoia (Tulsa, Okla.) and Michelle DeCoud (Monument, Colo.).
Dallas takes both games in a row to complete a two-game home stand and is over .500 on the season since completing 2014-15 with a 14-12 mark.
HOW IT HAPPENED
In the opening quarter, both sides were closely matched through the majority of it. After a Helen Onyenso (Oak Park, Ill.) layup cut the score to two (14-12) with 1:44, the Saints closed the remaining time on a 6-2 run. This included consecutive three-points by Gabbie Parsons and Caitlin White, respectively. DeCoud got a jump shot to fall in the last 19 seconds to round out the scoring at the first break, 20-14.
Both squads matched each other with the highest offensive output of a single quarter by scoring 22 points in the second. A quick jumper by Sarika Willis extended the lead back to eight, but Dallas got within two thanks in part to six straight by Stoia. The junior hit her first trey of the night with 8:50 remaining and then got an offensive rebound on the next possession and drew a foul on a basket for a chance at the old fashion three-point play. She converted the free throw to close the gap at 24-22.
Later in the stanza, Randall captured momentum with eight unanswered points to boast the first double-digit advantage of the night, 38-28. Morgan Fletcher capped that outburst with back-to-back threes. UD found its stroke from downtown in the final couple possessions as Celsi Caraway (Arlington, Texas) and Caitlyn Worry (Lumberton, Texas) nailed one apiece to give the home side eight-of-10 final points until halftime. Worry's trey came with two seconds and sent Dallas into the intermission down 42-36.
That three near the buzzer sparked a second half where the Crusaders outscored their opposition 34-20. The third quarter was the widest scoring margin as Dallas held the Saints to nine points and outdid them by eight on the scoreboard. Worry started the next half with another three 10 seconds in. Stoia got the Crusaders within two (49-47) after her second trey in a row. That last trifecta was sank at 4:33. Stoia knotted the board 49-all with 3:12 left on two free throws. After Sammi Tso (Las Vegas, Nev.) put UD up momentarily with two from the charity stripe, Stoia closed the quarter by drawing a shooting foul as time expired. Both free throws were hit and UD led for the first time that evening.
It took over two and a half minutes for either team to score in the final quarter, and the Saints etched those points on a field goal by Julia Garrad. After Holly Tonry (Seattle, Wash.) split at the line, White sank a trey to give Randall the lead again. Tonry countered the next possession on a jumper and snatched a steal two possessions later that led to Stoia dishing a pass for Onyenso to drill the go-ahead jumper. Worry connected her final three – nine points in game - of the night and pushed the advantage to five (61-56). Sadie Perry made two free throws with four minutes remaining, but Dallas went on a 9-4 run from that juncture to control the rest of the way. Both field goals by the guests were inside looks by Garrard.
INSIDE THE BOXSCORE
- Stoia eclipsed double-digits in scoring for the first time this year and finished with a game-high 21 points. She made a trio of three-pointers and was 8-of-8 shooting at the free throw line.
- DeCoud claimed her second double-double of the early campaign with 17 points and 12 rebounds.
- UD won the battle on the boards 43-38. In the first half, the home team was ahead 26-18 in this category and garnered more on the offensive glass (14) than defensive (12). Stoia led this result with five offensive rebounds. Her final board was her lone defensive one in the second to finish with six.
- Dallas had 22 second chance points.
- Tso (6) and Tonry (4) combined for 10-of-15 assists by the Crusaders.
- The Saints held slight percentage advantages in team shooting categories. However, after the visitors were 6-for-11 downtown in the first half; RU slumped to 1-for-13 in the second.
- Both squads were even in turnovers (12), steals (6), and points in the paint (26).
- Randall was paced by Garrard with 13 points and nine rebounds. Willis, Gabbie Parsons, and White all had nine points. Willis grabbed seven rebounds.
UP NEXT
Dallas is on the road to close November with a pair of neutral site games hosted at Rhodes College. On the 26th, the Crusaders take on Rust College. On the 27th, it is a contest with Westminster College. Both tip-offs are scheduled at 4 p.m.