On a night the University crowned Mr. and Ms. Texas A&M International University, the men’s and women’s basketball team missed their chance to coronate themselves at the top of the Heartland Conference standings.
The dustdevils welcomed Lubbock Christian — newcomers to the Heartland Conference — to their home court on Thursday, February 13, but suffered agonizing losses in front of an eager crowd. With the 75-66 loss, the men’s team lost a golden opportunity to gain ground on their pursuit of a third championship to last year’s victor, the University of Arkansas – Fort Smith. The men’s championship will almost certainly be a photo finish this year.
Senior guard Johnel Gray put up a game-high 19 points and 4 assists, but wasn’t as efficient as he’s been in the past, going 7-19 from the field and 3-9 from three-point range. The team’s second half slump cost them the contest, with only 37 percent of their field goals made in the second half, compared to a 46 percent shooting performance in the first half.
The women’s team finally felt the pain of a loss in Laredo, losing the first home contest of the season against the lady chaps. The loss was bittersweet, with standout performances coming from senior forward Malika Jackson and junior Jessica Woo. Both notched double-doubles working as a scoring and rebounding tandem. Woo (15 points, 13 rebounds) and Jackson (18 points, 11 rebounds) weren’t the only dustdevils in double digits, though, as senior Samantha Chacon added 23 points in the loss.
The following Saturday, the women’s team rebounded with a 57-49 victory against the University of the Permian Basin. The win could have clinched the first season title for the women with a St. Edward’s loss, but with the hilltoppers winning, the confetti and champagne will have to wait until next week’s contest. The men’s team, however, continued their losing skid with another heartbreaking 79-74 loss against UTPB in the final home game of the season.
A three-game road trip that follows will then conclude the regular season. The first hurdle awaiting the dustdevils will be a game against St. Edward’s February 20 in Austin, Texas, followed by trips to McMurry in Abilene (February 22) and St. Mary’s in San Antonio.
A fan bus is chartered to take students and Dustdevil fans to support the team in rival territory against St. Mary’s on March 1st. The trip will cost $20 per person or $10 with a valid student ID and includes the game ticket. For more information, contact the athletics office at (956)326-3000 or head to www.godustdevils.com.
Louis San Miguel can be reached at louis.sm@gmail.com