Hot Start Gives Crusaders the Win vs Hendrix

CONWAY, Ar. - The University of Dallas women's basketball team won their non-conference match with Hendrix College 64-57 on Sunday.  This marks the end of their preseason schedule, and will see them enter conference play with a 2-3 overall record.

The Crusaders got off on the right foot, shooting 52.6% from the field in the first quarter, taking a 26-16 lead after the first 10 minutes.  Dallas capitalized on high percentage chances and mistakes by the Warriors, with 12 of their points coming in the paint and 11 points coming off turnovers.

The second period was much tighter as the Dallas offense was not quite as sharp, though they did build their lead up to 14 points midway through the period. They would do enough to hold a 10 point lead going into halftime.

Hendrix came out of the locker room ready to play and nearly erased the deficit, trailing by just one point with a minute left in the period.  It was their best shooting period of the night, going 40% from the field while Dallas was held to just three field goals.

Dallas came out in the fourth quarter and scored seven unanswered points and played smothering defense to reestablish their 10 point lead with five minutes left in the game.  The Warriors would never get closer than five points back as the Crusaders saw out the win.

The Crusaders shot 44.2% from the field as a team, their second best mark of the season, and 38.1% from three.  Four Crusaders notched 10+ points on the day, with Adryan Alvarez leading the way with 13 points.  Tessa Hastingswas right behind with 12 points, going 4-8 from three point range, the most by any Crusader so far this season.  Ashley Hall was 4-6 with two three-pointers and 11 points, and Imani Hardin had 10 points and led the team with eight rebounds.

Up Next

Conference play begins this week for Dallas, and they will start their conference campaign at home.  They host Texas Lutheran on Friday at 5:30 p.m.