LONGVIEW, Texas – LeTourneau University women's basketball team hung tough before falling, 84-74, against the No. 2 ranked team in the country, East Texas Baptist University Saturday at Solheim Arena.
This was the final regular season home game for the YellowJackets, in which they wished farewell to their seniors. Seniors Scruffy Hopkins, Flora Akingbade and Cortney Arnold were all accompanied by their families in a great senior day ceremony before tip-off.
LETU (10-5, 6-4 American Southwest Conference) was able to jump out to an early 11-3 lead, after a made layup by Ajanae Thomas on an assist from Kyndall Hardeman. Thomas finished with 14 points on 6 of 11 shooting from the field. The Tigers came roaring back to erase the early defecit, taking a 20-16 lead on a basket by Kenidi White.
In the second quarter, ETBU (21-0, 13-0) was able to stretch its lead, putting together a 10-3 surge that gave the Tigers a 37-29 lead, heading into halftime.
The YellowJackets were 2 of 12 from the field in the second quarter after going 6 of 14 in the first quarter. East Texas Baptist shot 7 of 13 to close out the second period, after shooting 8 of 15 in the first.
The Jackets were able to find a groove throughout the third period, outscoring the Tigers, 22-15, after trailing by as many as 12 points. With a made layup by Hardeman, and a steal and bucket by Malacia Guy, the YellowJackets went on a 15-4 run to close out the period. During that run, Keauna Whitfield tallied 11 of her game-high 23 points, including a buzzer beating three-pointer to finish the period. LETU trailed, 52-51, after three quarters.
East Texas Baptist put it away in the fourth quarter, outscoring LeTourneau, 32-23. The Tigers shot 5 of 7 from long range in the quarter. The Jackets went 3 of 8 from deep.
ETBU outscored LETU, 53-13, in bench points.
Guy finished with 18 points, dished out six assists and swiped three steals. Akingbade had 14 rebounds, three blocks and three steals. Hopkins had five points and a steal. Whitfield ripped down seven boards to compliment her 23 points. Ty Moon added nine points off the bench.
White led the Tigers with 14 points.
The YellowJackets will be back in action on the road Thursday at 5:30 p.m. against Louisiana College.
