FARMERS BRANCH, Texas – On a day where its offense was much sharper and the defense was in sync, the YellowJackets inched closer to the Dallas Christian College Christmas Classic title. LeTourneau University women's basketball team beat Sul Ross State, 73-57, Wednesday at the MCM Elegante Hotel-sponsored three-day tournament.
 
LETU will meet Dallas Christian 3 p.m. Sunday to complete its only in-season tournament of the year.
 
The Jackets (3-1) outscored the Lobos, 17-4, in the fourth period, turning a 56-53 lead entering the final 10 minutes into a runaway win. SRSU (2-5) shot 1 of 10 from the field in the fourth quarter, while LETU was 8 of 18.
 
Keauna Whitfield scored 26 points, had six rebounds, four assists and two steals, and Malacia Guy added 21 points and five steals for the YellowJackets, who outscored the Lobos, 40-22, in the paint.
 
Trailing by three 3:01 into the second period, the Jackets went on a 20-5 run over the next 6:37 to grab a 12-point lead on Ajanae Thomas' layup. The Lobos dwindled the lead down to two when Alexis Carmosino knocked down a jumper in the paint with 30 seconds remaining in the third period. Whitfield scored on a transition basket 4:04 into the final quarter to put LeTourneau ahead, 65-53. The Lobos never got closer.
 
Thomas finished with 10 points, nine rebounds, five assists and two steals. Flora Akingbade had 13 rebounds, seven boards and two steals. Scruffy Hopkins added seven rebounds, four assists, four points, three steals and a block. Carmosino paced SRSU with 16 points and 10 rebounds, and Vanila Hampton had 12 points and 10 boards.
 
The YellowJackets forced 22 turnovers, while committing half that number in an efficient offensive display. LETU had a season-high 19 assists and 12 steals.
 
LeTourneau did not convert a three-pointer in the second half, and needed only five free throws to grab its first Division III in-region victory of the season.