Promising newcomers – Crystal Jones and LaTanya Drakes – led the LeTourneau University women's basketball team to a 54-44 win over Southwestern University to begin the 2015-16 season.
 
The YellowJackets (1-0) were led by a game-high 17-point effort from Jones, plus Drakes came off the bench to score 11 points for LeTourneau. Drakes accounted for 11 of the 22 points for the LETU bench, who outscored the visitors, 22-9 – including an 11-1 advantage in the third quarter. Senior Ashley Stephens had a solid all-around game with six points, 10 rebounds, three assists, three blocks and two steals for LETU.
 
The Pirates (0-2) had three in double figures including a pair of double-double perfomances by Madison Edwards (13 points, 10 rebounds) and Olivia Podaras (10 points, 13 rebounds). Audrey Garcia added 10 points for Southwestern.
 
A last-second 3 pointer by the Pirates sent Southwestern into the halftime break with a 29-27 lead. The YellowJackets scored the first six points – including four by Drakes – to start the second half. LETU remained in front for the rest of the contest. To seal the game, LETU made 11 of 14 (78.6%) free throws. Plus, Jones scored eight of her 17 and Drakes added eight of her 11 in the final 20 minutes for the win.
 
Next, LETU will take to the road to face Millsaps College on Tuesday night at 5:30 p.m. in Jackson, Mississippi.