POSTGAME INTERVIEW WITH ANDREA ASHLEY AND COACH THOMASTON

LONGVIEW - Junior Andrea Ashley scored 19 points on 8-of-8 shooting and pulled down 10 rebounds all in the second half en rout to a huge game and a 66-53 win over the Dallas Crusaders on Monday afternoon. With the win, the Jackets are now 6-6 on the season with ASC play picking back up on the weekend.

It was an extremely slow start for both teams as a single point was not scored until the 16:10 mark when junior Jessica Manas connected on a free throw to give the Jackets a 1-0 lead. Both teams could not find the bucket early on and were forcing too many turnovers.

LeTourneau built an early 14-7 lead around the 10 minute mark, but Dallas stormed back and eventually took their first lead of the game, going up 17-16 with 4:06 to go in the second half. The two teams exchanged baskets back and forth as they went into half tied at 25.

The Crusaders took the lead to start the second half, but that was all they would get as LeTourneau found their shooting touch and raced out to a 36-27 lead thanks to six point from Ashley. Dallas tried to inch back into the game, but LeTourneau then increased their lead to double digits thanks to baskets from Ashley and junior Ashley Fajardo. 

The Jackets used tough defense and efficient shooting, especially from Ashley who also crashed the boards, to pull away from Dallas and eventually earn the 66-53 victory.

Ashley finished with 21 points and 15 rebounds including seven offensive rebounds. Fajardo was behind her with 12 points while Manas added 10 and three assists. Freshmen Laura Driskell and Ashley Stephens led the way defensively with two steals each while junior Alexis Wighaman pulled down 11 boards.

The Jackets will be back in American Southwest Conference action this weekend as they take on the Hardin-Simmons Cowgirls in Solheim at 1 p.m. Fans are encouraged to come out and cheer on the Jackets, but if you can't make it, you can watch the game for free on letuathletics.tv.