SEGUIN - The LeTourneau YellowJacket women's basketball team was back in action on Saturday evening as they took on the Texas Lutheran Bulldogs in American Southwest Conference action. Despite a terrific performance from junior Andrea Ashley, the Jackets had an abysmal offensive performance, shooting only 30% from the field as they fell to the Bulldogs, 66-60.
It was all Texas Lutheran (2-7, 1-4 ASC) early on as they jumped out to a 16-6 lead in the first 10 minutes of the game thanks to great post play from Katy Scott in the post.
LeTourneau (4-5, 3-3 ASC) responded with a three-pointer from junior Jessica Manas and five straight free throws coming from three different Jackets. Manas then drained her second three pointer to give LeTourneau a 17-16 lead with 7:55 reamining in the first half.
The two teams traded baskets as they game was tied at 22 with six minutes left to go, but Texas Lutheran responded with a 10-2 run to take a 32-24 lead. LeTourneau made a run to get it down to five as they were down 35-29 at the break.
The Bulldogs took complete control in the second half as they pushed their lead to as many as 15 throughout the first 10 minutes of the half. However, Ashley willed the Jacket back into the game, making clutch basket after basket and hitting key free throws when she gets to the line.
Layups from Ashley and freshman Ashley Stephesn cut the deficit down to six with 5:50 left in the game. Texas Lutheran pushed their lead back to eight, but Ashley scored four straight points to make it a four point game.
However, that is as close as LeTourneau could get as they could not get a shot to fall in the waning minutes of the game and the Bulldogs took the victory.
Ashley was excellent again for LeTourneau, scoring 27 points to go with four rebounds and four steals. She shot 10-of-16 from the field and 7-of-9 from the free throw line. Manas chipped in 15 points, four assists, three rebounds, and a steal. Junior Julencia Curtis added two blocks on the night.
The Jackets will take a day off and be back on the road as this time they prepare for a non-conference tilt with Rhodes College in Memphis. Tipoff is set for 6 p.m. and all information regarding the game can be found at letuathletics.com.
