Crusaders Fall to Colorado College in Conference Test

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - The University of Dallas women's basketball team dropped its first game after Christmas break 74-45 to Colorado College. The Crusaders (0-10, 0-3 SCAC) were led by Vanessa Diaz (San Antonio, Texas) and Taylor Jobe (Queen Creek, Ariz.) who had 13 and 10 points, respectively. The Tigers (6-6, 3-1 SCAC) won the rebound battle 51-31 and took advantage of 18 UD turnovers, including 24 points off of turnovers to take the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference victory.

The Tigers looked strong in the opening quarter as they grabbed a 15-0 lead. CC got the lead as high as 23-7, but the Crusaders came roaring back with a 7-0 run including a big three-pointer by Jobe on that run. Nia Duplain buried a jumper to take a 25-14 Tigers lead after one. Both teams traded points in the second period, as both squads had 19 possessions. CC grabbed a 41.2 percent field-goal percentage to help the Tigers take a 44-27 advantage into halftime.

The third quarter was a defensive struggle for both teams, but CC edged Dallas 12-11 on the scoreboard. Tiffani Lowe (San Francisco, Calif.) buried a trey in that quarter, but offensively Dallas could not put a large run together in that frame. CC took a 56-38 lead into the final period. The Tigers grabbed an 8-0 run to start the fourth. Jade Odom and McKenzee Gertz both buried points to expand the lead to 64-38. Diaz made a few layups down the stretch, but the Crusaders were unable to overcome to early deficit.

Duplain led all scorers with 18 points along with eight rebounds. Gertz posted 16 points, eight rebounds, and five assists. Odom added 13 points and five assists. Claire Sabin came down with a game-high 11 rebounds to lead the Tigers. CC had 20 fast-break points and notched 28 points in the paint. The Tigers also saw 15 points off the bench in the victory.

Following Diaz and Jobe, Lowe contributed nine points. Diaz also grabbed six boards to lead UD. Jobe buried three treys on the afternoon and made three steals.

UP NEXT

Dallas will play at Johnson & Wales University tomorrow (12/30) to end its Colorado trip. First tip is set for 12:00 p.m. (MST).