LeTourneau University bounced back for a big win over Texas Lutheran at the LETU Holiday Classic on Friday as they snapped a six-game winning streak for the Bulldogs.
 
Crystal Jones led all scorers with 27 points and pulled down five rebounds. Jones ranks in the top-25 in NCAA Division III scoring, averaging 21.1 points per game.
 
LaTanya Drakes scored 18 of her 22 points in the second half on the way to her ninth double-double of the season. Drakes pulled down 13 rebounds including four offensive boards. The senior forward is ranked in the top-5 in the nation in double-double performances.
 
The YellowJackets (6-6, 4-1 ASC) couldn't buy a bucket in the first quarter as they shot just 21.4 percent (3-14) from the floor. The Bulldogs jumped out their largest lead of the game at 16-4 in the first quarter.
 
LETU got a spark from senior Ashley Reed in the second quarter as she scored six points to ignite the comeback. That spark would turn to a blaze over the next two periods as the YellowJackets outscored Texas Lutheran 50-20 taking a 19-point lead over the Bulldogs at the end of the third quarter.
 
But, TLU wouldn't go away as they cut the lead to just five with 2:37 remaining on a Kasey Hairell jumper. LeTourneau made free throws down the stretch including two from Jada Roberts that pushed the lead back to 10 with a minute remaining. Roberts pulled down a season-high 10 rebounds in the game and dished out three assists.
 
The YellowJackets finish non-conference play at 2-5 but hold a 4-1 record in the American Southwest Conference. LETU will take the trip down I-20 to square off with rival UT Tyler on Monday, January 2^nd. Tip-off is set for 5:30 at the Louise Herrington Patriot Center.
 
LeTourneau won the first matchup of the season with an 86-76 home victory over the Patriots on December 19^th. UTT comes in with a 8-4 record and 2-3 in the ASC.