Joel "Jewlz" Morris
Sports Editor
Controlling the game from the start, the Texas A&M University-San Antonio women’s basketball team defeated Jarvis Christian University 83-56 on Jan. 29, sweeping its third Red River Athletic Conference opponent this season.
Improving to a 12-2 record in conference play, the Jags have completed a season sweep against Our Lady of the Lake, the University of the Southwest (NM) and most recently, Jarvis Christian University.
The matchup between the two teams was lopsided from the beginning, with the Jags taking a 23-12 lead at the end of the first quarter. Senior guard Evelyn Lorenzo, sophomore guard Tamya Whitemon and sophomore forward Talaiyah Andrews each connected from 3-point range to set the tone early.
Whitemon continued to be a threat throughout the game, leading all scorers with 18 points while showing her value in the backcourt.
She attributes her consistency to early opportunities as a freshman.
“I got a lot of playing time as a freshman, so I think that just helps me feeling more comfortable,” Whitemon said, attributing her first-year experience to her current success.
Lorenzo shared the backcourt with Whitemon, scoring 13 points in the win.
The Jags’ success came against the Jarvis Christian team that played a 1-3-1 zone to slow the offense, but the Jags’ defense created a fast pace to beat the JCU zone.
The Jags capitalized on easy points, scoring 28 points off turnovers and adding 24 points from the free-throw line.
Starting the third quarter with a 38-16 deficit, the Jags continued to stretch that lead due to a surprise contributor. junior center Jada Turner, scored a season- high 9 points, all in the quarter.
Turner has seen limited action this year, totaling just 16 minutes of playing time prior to the game and was ready to take advantage when her name was called.
“I’m glad that my coach finally gave me a chance to really show everybody what I’m capable of tonight,” Turner said. “I feel like it’s just the beginning of something great.”
Head coach Chris Minner credits Turner’s work ethic and talents as part of the reason why she saw more playing time and contributed in the matchup.
“She’s getting better and better, she’s getting used to our system,” Minner said. “She’s so athletic and long, and she fits, so we’re trying to get her as much time as we can.”
The Jags can complete another conference sweep versus Texas College at 1 p.m. Jan. 31 at the Jaguars Den.
The Jags avenge a loss versus conference foe
Over a month ago, the Texas A&M University-San Antonio men’s basketball team fell to Jarvis Christian University 69-65 on the road. On Jan. 29, the Jags, out for revenge, defeated JCU 96-70 at home.
Head coach Chris Dial says “effort was a lot more consistent,” which was the biggest difference this go-around against JCU.
This is the largest victory by the Jags this year as they stepped up on both ends of the floor.
The Jags offense was led by senior guard Antwone Gonzales and junior guard Dezmon Dudley, scoring 25 points each.
Dudley did most of his work by getting to the paint and converting all 15 of his free throws.
Dial credits Dudley’s free-throw line volume and efficiency as the biggest key difference from the last match-up against JCU.
“Dez did a great job making his free throws tonight; that was a big difference in this game,” Dial said. “We’ve played this game before, but won or lost it because we shot 60% from the free-throw line.”
Gonzales’ points acknowledged his teammates for finding him to score all over the court.
“Trusting my teammates,” Gonzales said. “A lot of my points was off passes, it wasn’t just me just trying to go one on one.”
Nullifying JCU’s junior guard Keon Gill was the key to the Jags’ second-half surge and creating a larger deficit.
Gill scored 17 points in the first half, but after “taking it personal,” Dudley said, Gill only scored 2 points in the second half.
“Own our space and just guard,” Dudley said. “We were playing good defense on him and contained him in the second half.”
As the Jags get deeper into conference play, every game is critical for their playoff hopes of staying alive.
Winning back-to-back games is the start they’re looking for to keep their chances relevant.
“Beat Texas College if we want to keep hopes alive,” Dial said. “We’re about our business. We got to have a great practice tomorrow and then come ready on Saturday.”
Playing versus Texas College will take place at 3 p.m. on Jan. 31 at home with the hopes of extending their winning streak to three.
