LeTourneau women's basketball scored 15 unanswered points to start the third quarter and earned a home-opening 82-73 victory over Centenary College (Louisiana). It was the first win of the season for the YellowJackets who improve to 1-3 overall.
 
Crystal Jones poured in 14 of her 22 points in the second half as the senior guard was aggressive attacking the paint and finishing at the rim.
 
LaTanya Drakes recorded her third double-double of the season. The senior forward pulled down 14 rebounds to lead the YellowJackets and scored 17 points on 6-of 9 shooting from the floor. Drakes helped LeTourneau outrebound Centenary 56-35.
 
Bria Goodman joined her fellow seniors in double figures as she scored 12 points on 5-of-8 shooting from the floor. Ashley Crockett pulled down eight rebounds to go along with her five points.
 
Sha'Donnaver Young scored a career high eight points off the bench for LeTourneau as the sophomore guard shot 3-of-4 from the field.
 
A back and forth first quarter saw the two teams go into the huddle tied at 16-16. The YellowJackets would lead by as many as five in the second quarter but a Centenary 3-point field goal with eight seconds remaining tied the game at 35.
 
With the clock running down Ashley Reed pushed the ball up the floor and scored from just inside half court to beat the buzzer and give LeTourneau a three-point lead at the break.
 
The third quarter started with a barrage from YellowJackets as they went on a 15-0 run to take a 53-35 lead. The Ladies would cut the lead to nine at the end of the period but would never get any closer as the YellowJackets held on for the 82-73 victory.
 
The LeTourneau women will open American Southwest Conference play on Thursday as they take on Howard Payne. Tipoff is set for 5:30 p.m. in Brownwood.