Crusaders roll past Southwestern Adventist on Tuesday for First Victory

Crusaders roll past Southwestern Adventist on Tuesday for First Victory

KEENE, Texas – The University of Dallas women's basketball team pulled away in the first quarter with a 23-6 lead en route to a 66-40 victory at Southwestern Adventist University on Tuesday night. The Crusaders (1-1) picked up their first win under head coach Bri Calver, who earned her first collegiate win as well.

Beyonce Perry (Lake Jackson, Texas) buried a three-pointer on the first possession to kick-start the UD offense. The Crusaders connected on four of their first five field goal attempts that included three straight; with layups by Vanessa Diaz (San Antonio, Texas), Panda Houseworth (Farmersville, Texas), and another trey by Perry.

The 10-0 run by the Crusaders grew to 14 over the first six minutes of the quarter. The Knights (1-4) ended the drought with a pair of free throws by Hannah Kuesters. Sydney Laxson hit two free throws to make it a 10-point game with three minutes left, but nine straight points by Dallas pushed the margin further. The Knights missed their first nine field goal attempts before Indiana Thompson hit a long jump shot from straight-away inside the three-point arc as time expired.

In the second quarter, Dallas didn't get on the board first nor until 8:44 remained, but Houseworth nailed a trifecta that sparked an eight-point stretch in a row for the guests. She added a layup and countered SWAU's three-pointer from Kaitlyn Lively with her second within just over a minute. The senior scored 10 points in the first half to lead UD.

Dallas had another 20-plus scoring quarter to balloon the advantage to 44-19.

The Crusaders would outscore their opponent by 10 in the third period (16-6) to build the lead some more. It was similar to the opening frame, where the Knights slumped to six points to tie the game-low total in a quarter (done three times and at least once on each side). A layup by Eboni Smith ended a scoreless drought with two and a half minutes before the start of the last quarter. Gracie Williams (Midwest City, Okla.) chimed in with seven points in the third quarter.

SWAU outscored Dallas 15-6 in the final 10 minutes. Hannah Kuesters logged seven points in the quarter.

Williams led all scorers with 15 points and grabbed six rebounds. She also tallied three steals, two assists, and a block. Jules Oliveti (Southlake, Texas) notched a double-double with 12 points and rebounds. Perry and Houseworth chipped in 11 and 10 points, respectively. The duo combined for nine assists. Alissa Dutton (Houston, Texas) contributed nine points and eight boards off the bench. Diaz garnered eight points, six rebounds, and dished four dimes.

Dallas shot 41.7 percent from the floor and 30.4 percent (7-23) from three-point territory. The Crusaders also held a 52-32 edge in rebounds. The Knights were outdone by six on assists, as well as committed two fewer turnovers, 18-16.

Kuesters led the team with nine points and seven rebounds. Alex Gurule contributed eight points and a trio of starters garnered six apiece. SWAU hit 12-of-55 from the field and 3-of-20 from deep.


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Dallas continues its road stretch on Saturday, November 23, versus Sul Ross State University. Tip-off is at 1 p.m.