BELTON, Texas – Malacia Guy's career-high 23 points wasn't enough as LETU women's basketball suffered a 83-79 setback against UMHB at Mayborn Campus Center Saturday.
The YellowJackets fell to 6-3 overall, including 3-2 in the American Southwest Conference, while the Crusaders improved to 7-2, 4-0.
Allowing the second highest total in any quarter this season, LETU was unable to close out the Crusaders in American Southwest Conference action
First Quarter:
LETU jumped out to a 10-point lead after one period behind 13 points from Malacia Guy. The YellowJackets hit 10 of 16 from the field, including two three-pointers on three attempts. LETU closed the quarter on a 7-0 spurt over the final 1:22 to build its advantage. The YellowJackets outrebounded the Crusaders 8-7. UMHB biggest lead was four at 6-2 with 8:17 left in the period.
 
Second Quarter:
UMHB outscored LETU 21-17 in the frame and reduced the deficit to 44-28 at the intermission. LETU hit just 6 of 17 from the field in the stanza, including 2 of 3 from behind the arc. The Crusaders went 10 of 19 from the field, missing both of their chances from 3-point range. The YellowJackets outrebounded UMHB 20-9 in the period, including 5-3 on the offensive glass.
 
Third Quarter:
Neither side found their rhythm after the break, combining to shoot 8 of 32. The YellowJackets outscored UMHB 16-15 in the period, despite making just 4 of 16 from the floor, including 1 of 4 from long range. They held UMHB to the same shooting percentage, with the Cru making 2 of 6 from distance.
 
Fourth Quarter:
LETU was unable to slow the surge in the final 10 minutes as UMHB hit 12 of 18 attempts, all but one coming inside the three-point line. The Cru added five points at the charity stripe but kept the YellowJackets in the game by missing six, most coming in the final stretch. After surrendering the lead and ultimately facing the largest deficit at nine, LETU took an inordinate number of triples, converting 2 of 10, part of a cold-shooting stanza. The YellowJackets went 8 of 22 in the quarter.
Series Notes
UMHB holds an 11-4 in the all-time series and has won the last seven meetings.
LETU's last win was 56-54, Jan. 7, 2016, in Belton, Texas
               The teams square off Thursday, Feb. 3 in Longview.
 
Team Notes:
LETU's 27 points in the first half is the most in the first quarter this season and the second highest of any quarter.
The 30 points allowed in the fourth quarter is a season high by an LETU opponent in any quarter.
LETU is fifth in the ASC standings with a half-game advantage over Belhaven and trail Hardin Simmons by the same margin.
The YellowJackets return to the court Sunday at 1 p.m. against Concordia Texas in Austin.
 
Player Notes:
- Malacia Guy finished with 23 points on 7 of 15 from the floor, draining 4 of 9 from distance.
She added six rebounds four assiststs and two steals.

- Keauna Whitfield totaled 18, 10 boards, four assists, a pair of thefts and swatted away three attempts.
This is her second double-double on the campaign and 24th in her career.
She has 79 double-digit scoring performance in her career, doing so in every game this season.

- Allaira Jones chipped in with 14 points, six rebounds and four assists in her first game against the Cru.
               This is the 36^th time in her career and ninth as a YellowJacket with at least 10 points in a contest.

- Ajane Thomas narrowly missed a double-double with eight points, eight rebounds and three helpers.
Jordan McClenton posted her second highest total of the season with nine points.
 
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