IRVING, Texas -- Johnai Wimbleduff and Kyndall Hardeman combined for 37 points and the LeTourneau women's basketball team held off University of Dallas, 80-78, in non-conference action on Saturday afternoon at the Maher Athletic Center.

The win was the third on the road for LeTourneau (3-1) this season.

Wimbleduff had 19 points with three 3-pointers while Hardeman nearly had a double-double with 18 points and nine rebounds to go with four steals. Ajanae Thomas was the third YellowJacket in double-figure scoring as she totaled 13 points with four assists and five rebounds.

LeTourneau hit a season-high nine 3-pointers and used those to build a 41-31 lead in the third quarter. The YellowJackets outscored Dallas, 18-8, in the second quarter to grab a 35-29 lead at halftime and the run continued into the third. Wimbleduff hit two 3-pointers early in the third as LeTourneau took its largest lead of the game at 10 (41-31) with 8:31 left in the third. 

WBB: ON FIRE from 3-point land!

Johnai Wimbleduff hits @LETUWBB's 8th 3-pointer of the game and the lead is at 41-31 with 8:25 left in the 3rd.

FOLLOW: https://t.co/lkt2RDjTM9#d3hoops pic.twitter.com/NLYq7jOEOz

— LeTourneau Athletics (@LETUAthletics) November 19, 2022

Dallas (1-2) answered and went on a 13-1 run over the next four-plus minutes to take a 44-42 lead. LeTourneau never got rattled and responded in a big way.

Kylie Weeks' pull-up jumper with 1:44 left in the third gave LeTourneau the lead back at 50-48 and ignited a 6-0 run to end the quarter as the YellowJackets took a 54-48 lead into the fourth.

LeTourneau never trailed in the fourth, but had to hold off Dallas in the period to get the win. The host Crusaders got within 77-76 with 30 seconds left, but Thomas went 3-of-4 from the foul line to preserve the lead at 80-78.

On Dallas' final possession, Alyssa Hall blocked Adryan Alvarez's layup attempt and Alvarez's second attempt in the waning seconds was challenged by the YellowJackets underneath the basket as time expired.

"They responded in a big way and never gave up," said head coach Scot MacAllister about his team's effort on Saturday. "I love it!"

LeTourneau made a season-high 43.6 percent (24-of-55) from the field and went 23-of-26 at the foul line. Bailey Broughton was 6-for-6 at the line and tallied nine points, while Weeks also had nine points with three assists and five rebounds. Hall added eight points and three blocks.

Dallas got 30 points from Alvarez as the Crusaders shot 34.9 percent (22-of-63) from the field and were 28-of-37 from the free throw line.

UP NEXT

LeTourneau continues its road trip on Tuesday at Schreiner (6 p.m.).