BOX SCORE

LONGVIEW, Texas – Kyndall Hardeman netted a career-high 16 points as the LeTourneau women's basketball team tallied another one in the winning column, defeating McMurry 74-63 Thursday evening in Solheim Arena.

The YellowJackets improved to 11-7 overall, including 8-5 in American Southwest Conference play, while the War Hawks fell to 2-18, 1-13.

LETU fell down early to begin the contest, but Keauna Whitfield bucket from Malacia Guy got the ball rolling for the Jackets, tying the game at seven. Guy knocked down a pair of free throws to give LeTourneau its first lead of the game, 9-7. The YellowJackets closed the opening quarter on an 8-3 run, capped of by bomb from long range by Hardeman.

Back-to-back baskets from Allaira Jones fueled the Jackets to begin the second, holding a nine-point advantage over the MCM, 21-12. Hardeman swiped one away from the War Hawks, putting the Jackets off to the races in transition, converting a fast break bucket for Whitfield. Guy found the bottom of the net after she connected on a jumper, sending the YellowJackets up nine heading into haltime, 32-23.

LETU tallied 18 points in the paint in the first half, while the War Hawks totaled 14. The Jackets held McMurry to 8-27 from the floor in the first half.

An 8-2 run by MCM cut the LeTourneau lead to four midway through the third period. Ajanae Thomas sliced through the War Hawks' defense to stretch the lead to 10, 39-49, with 1:49 left in the quarter. After a layup plus the foul by Jones and a Whitfield jumper, the Jackets took a commanding 13-point lead heading into fourth.

The YellowJackets would continue to pour it on in the final period, extending its lead to a game-high 22 points in the final six minutes of the contest. Despite a late push by McMurry, LETU would ice the game at the line with free throws from Allaiya Jones and Whitfield.

LETU shot 51% from the floor, holding McMurry to 40% shooting on the night.

Whitfield led the YellowJackets with 24 points, 10 rebounds, five assists and two steals. This marks Whitfield's fifth double-double of the season and her eighth consecutive game scoring in double figures.

Hardeman also added five rebounds and two assists to her career night, while Allaira Jones rounded out the Jackets in double-digit scoring with 14 points, nine rebounds and a block.
The YellowJackets will host Hardin-Simmons Saturday at 1 p.m. in Solheim Arena for Senior Day.