LONGVIEW, Texas – Defense and a balanced offensive attack fueled the LETU women's basketball 77-63 victory over Dallas at Solheim Arena Tuesday.

Converting nearly a third of their points off turnovers by the Crusaders (0-1), the Yellowjackets (1-1) tallied 22 points off 15 miscues, including 10 steals.

Offensively, Keauna Whitfield led four 'Jackets in double-digit scoring, netting 20 points, with seven rebounds, three assists, three steals and a block. Allaira Jones recorded a double-double with 18 points and 11 boards, adding three assists and three steals.

Malacia Guy tallied 12 points, collecting six boards and dropping five dimes. Jordan McClenton dropped in 11 points, all of them coming at the charity stripe. Kyndall Hardeman cleaned up the defensive glass, pulling down seven of her 10 boards off misses by Dallas.

How It Happened:
Despite being outshot 78 to 39 percent in the first quarter, LETU trailed by just two at 18-16. The teams traded leads six times with four ties, mostly due to the home team going 6-for-8 at the free-throw line and creating four steals.
 
An 11-0 run to begin the second 10 minutes of play propelled the 'Jackets to a six-point halftime advantage. Whitfield's steal and layup with 8:51 remaining in the period erased the Crusaders lead, knotting the contest at 18-18. Whitfield struck again 15 seconds later and giving her side the edge, which they never relinquished again.
 
Over the final 20 minutes of action, the teams swapped runs. Both squads netted 19 points in the third frame, but LETU outscored their opponent by eight, nudging the margin out over the final stanza.
 
Up Next:
LETU hits the road for the next four games, beginning with an exhibition in Shreveport, Louisianna Friday, with a 5:30 p.m. tip at LSU Shreveport.
 
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