On the strength of 41.8% shooting from the field, three players in double digits and holding their opponents to 27.3% shooting were the key ingredients to the winning recipe for the LeTourneau University women's basketball team in a 74-55 win over local rival, East Texas Baptist on Tuesday in Marshall.
 
LeTourneau (3-1, 1-0 ASC) put forth a solid all-around team effort in the win. The YellowJackets were led in scoring by junior Kim Wallace, who scored a team-best 14 points and joined in double digits by sophomores Bria Goodman (13) and Ashley Reed (10). LETU dominated the boards with a 60-33 advantage with nine boards from sophomore Meagan Peters, eight from junior Ashley Stephens as well as six each from Goodman and Wallace.
 
East Texas Baptist (3-2, 0-1 ASC) was led by senior Amanda Rucker, who had a game-high 27 – including 15 in the final 20 minutes. She was joined in double digits by junior April Leonard, who added 13. The two accounted for 40 of the 55 for the Tigers in the loss.
 
"This was a big win for us and the strong start we wanted to establish for our conference run," said LETU head coach Leslie Reinecker. "I though the team played with a lot of intensity and everyone fulfilled their roles when they were called upon. We have really focused on being ready to contribute when your number is called and I thought all of our players did a nice job of that tonight."
 
A layup by Wallace with 13:02 left in the first half put LeTourneau ahead by a 12-10 margin and for the rest of the contest. In the first half, the YellowJackets would extend the lead to as much as 15, 35-20, with 5:10 left on an Ashley Crockett three-point play. The Tigers would get as close as 11 points for the rest of the contest.  
 
LeTourneau held ETBU to 28.1% shooting in the first half and further put the clamps down in the second 20 minutes, holding the Tigers to 26.5% in the second half. Wallace and Goodman sparked the LETU offense, teaming for 17 of the 35 points.    
 
The YellowJackets will now turn their attention to its home opener - Louisiana College, who will be coming to Longview for the contest on Thursday, Dec. 4 at 5:30 p.m. in the Battle of the Dorms.