JWU Slips Past Crusaders on Saturday

IRVING, Texas - The University of Dallas women's basketball team fell in Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference (SCAC) action to Johnson & Wales University (CO) on Saturday afternoon. The Crusaders (1-17, 1-9 SCAC) outshot the Wildcats on the day from the field (42.9 percent) and from the free throw line (60 percent), but UD turned the ball over 27 times to lead to 23 JWU points off of turnovers. JWU (2-15, 1-10 SCAC) also outscored Dallas 18-6 in the third period to overcome the early deficit. Dallas stormed back in the fourth, but JWU was able to hold on for the narrow victory.

Brianna Bailey helped the Wildcats open the first quarter with a 10-6 lead after she had five points out of the gate. Bailey then hit a big three-pointer at the 5:02 mark to extend the JWU lead to 14-6. Vanessa Diaz (San Antonio, Texas) started a UD comeback with one made free throw followed by a Jules Oliveti (Southlake, Texas) jumper (14-9). Katey Guzman put the Wildcats up two more after a made jump shot. Dallas then ended the first frame on an 8-0 run capped off by a big trey by Gracie Williams (Midwest City, Okla.) and a 1-2 effort from the charity stripe by Alexis Vera (San Antonio, Texas).

With the 17-16 lead UD had two three-pointers to extend its lead to 23-18 to start the second period. Bailey stayed hot from the field to help JWU gain a 5-0 run after her made jumper at the 6:40 mark. Down 25-22 JWU then found its rhythm going into the halftime break only down by one point (29-28) after a 6-3 run.

Oliveti got the Crusaders up by three with a layup two minutes into the third period, but JWU finished the third frame on a 16-2 run to shift momentum entirely. The Wildcats went into the final quarter up 46-35.

Both teams traded buckets to start the fourth period. With four minutes to go Vera made a layup to get UD within seven points (50-43). Oliveti contributed a bucket with just under two to play, but Guzman answered with a trey (56-47). After a made free throw to put the Wildcats up by 10 with 47 seconds left, Oliveti came down the court and nailed a three-pointer. Down eight with 24 seconds remaining, Oliveti then converted a three-point play the old fashioned way (58-53). Diaz and Stephens kept UD in the mix a few made buckets trying to beat the clock, but JWU made just enough free throws to escape with the win.

Guzman led the Wildcats with 24 points along with six assists. She also had seven of the team's 14 steals. Bailey finished with 20 points, while Avionne Gomez added 10. JWU notched 12 fastbreak points.

Oliveti had a big day with a career-high 24 points and seven rebounds. Diaz recorded 12 points and six boards. Williams contributed nine points all coming from behind the arc. UD won the rebound battle 35-30.

Both teams recorded 20 points in the paint.

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Dallas will travel to Austin College on Tuesday (1/29). First tip is scheduled for 6:00 p.m.