Alvarez and Turner Lead The Way in Victory Over UST

HOUSTON, Texas - The Univeristy of Dallas women's basketball team won their conference matchup with the University of St. Thomas 63-56 this afternoon.  The Crusaders improve to 4-8 on the year and 2-3 in conference play.

After a blistering first quarter against Colorado College on Friday, the Crusaders kicked off the new year with another outstanding start, taking a 10-0 lead on the Celts after five minutes of play.  Dallas shot 50% in the first frame (7-14), while the Celts failed to make a single field goal, scoring all five of their points from the free throw line.  The Celts' struggles would continue in the second quarter, and would end up going 0-18 before they finall made their first field goal after 12 minutes, now trailing the Crusaders 20-7.  UST were able to flip the script in the latter stages of the quarter and tie it up with 15 unanswered points; the Crusaders found enough form near the end to take a 25-22 lead into the break.

The Celts carried their momentum into the third quarter, taking a 33-30 lead four minutes by going 4-5 from the field while the Crusaders went 2-7 in the same span.  It was the Crusaders who turned things around this time, going on a 16-6 run to close out the third quarter with a 46-39 lead, the Celts going just 3-11 from the field the rest of the third period.  The Celts were well within striking distance heading into the fourth, but the Crusaders were able to match them blow-for-blow to see out the win.

Adryan Alvarez, getting her third start of the season, led all players with 15 points, going 4-9 from the field and 4-4 from the line.  Amber Turner had her bets game of the season, securing her first double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds while playing 39 minutes.  Alyssa Sullivan scored her second most points of the season with 13 and set a season high going 3-4 from three-point range.  Getting her first start of the season, Caitlin Smith provided 10 points and was two boards away from her first double-double.

Up Next

Conference play continues this Friday, as the Crusaders will face Trinity on the road.  Tip-off is set for 8:00 p.m. from San Antonio.