Women's Basketball Beats LETU in Overtime

November 22, 2023

LONGVIEW, Texas - The University of Dallas women's basketball team beat LeTourneau University 70-68 on Wednesday, improving to 4-2 on the season.

It was a back and forth game from the start.  Dallas quickly took a 5-0 lead, only for LETU to score nine unanswered points to take a 9-5 lead at the first media timeout.  The Crusaders answered back with a 10-3 scoring run to end the first quarter with a 15-12 lead.

Dallas held onto their lead for the entire second quarter, leading by as many as 11 points and going into halftime with a nine-point advantage.

The Crusaders got off to a rough start in the third quarter, turning the ball over three times in the first three minutes as LETU came back and erased the deficit after four and a half minutes.  From there the drama escalated, as there were eight lead changes in the third quarter, leading to a 46-46 tie going into the fourth quarter.

The Yellow Jackets looked as though they might complete the comeback win, taking a 57-50 lead four and half minutes into the period.  But Dallas rattled off a quick eight-point run to take a 58-57 lead, and once again the teams were fighting toe-to-toe.  The Yellow Jackets' Kylie Weeks had the chance to give her team the lead in the final 30 seconds, as she was awarded a pair of free throws down 59-60.  She made her first, but missed the second.  Jordan Gillespie snagged the rebound and Dallas called a timeout to draw up a final play.  Caroline Croft had an open three to end the game with a buzzer beater, but missed, sending the game to overtime.

As it often does in close games, it came down to the free throw line.  The Crusaders won the battle, going 8-of-10 from the line to LETU's 5-of-6 in overtime to seal the win.

Adyran Alvarez (pictured) provided steady production for Dallas, leading all players with 22 points in 30 minutes off the bench.  Imani Hardin recorded her first double-double of the season, with 13 points and 13 rebounds.

Up Next

The Crusaders are back at home to host UTD on Saturday, Nov. 25 at 5:00 pm.