ALPINE, Texas - Vania Hampton led the Lobos with a monster 18-point, 14-rebound performance on Thursday for the program's first win against Mary Hardin-Baylor since 2004. 

After tip-off, it seemed to be business as usual with UMHB starting off red hot and Sul Ross with an equally slow start. Five straight misses, a few turnovers, and some early fouls allowed the Crusaders to jump out to an early 7-0 lead. Hampton was able to settle things down and get SR on the board on a pair of  free throws with 5:57 left in the first. She was also just getting started on what would end up being a huge night on the glass. Hampton brought it to within two after a good defensive series and a made three-pointer, but the Lobos would only cash in eight total points on 14% shooting in the first quarter. 

Meanwhile, the Crusaders cruised through the first nine minutes, shooting a blistering 60% from the field including 2-of-2 from beyond the arc. That second triple coming from Bethany McLeod as the clock expired gave her squad an eight-point lead. But Sul Ross came on stronger with two quick triples to open the second from Teresa Quintana and Ashley Nunez to cut into the lead. Vania Hampton continued to keep the Lobos within striking distance with her great work on the glass. UMHB would grow their lead to six late in the first half, but the Lobos started to clamp down defensively while continuing to cut into the lead. With 1:27 left, Ashley Nunez sank a jumper and Sul Ross found themselves with a one-point advantage. As time was expiring, Ashely Roberts grabbed an offensive rebound and converted as time ran out to avenge the buzzer beater just a quarter earlier. The Lobos poured in 18 points while holding the Crusaders to seven and went into the locker room clutching a 26-23 lead.

Early in the second half, that small lead disappeared and UMHB took over once again. Another slow start for Sul Ross resulted in nearly four and a half minutes without them finding a bottom of the net. It was Hampton yet again to settle things down by ending the drought with a layup at 6:33 to help end another larger drought against the Crusaders. It wouldn't be easy though. UHMB climbed to a five-point lead, but with Hampton's tenacity on the boards and their strong team defense, the Lobos refused to go away. They closed out the third strong and with a Hampton free throw to give Sul Ross 35-33 lead heading into the fourth. They had a chance and they knew it. 

Just as in the second, the Lobos had found their rhythm and pace off of their stout defense that created the turnovers and possessions down the stretch. It was back and forth early and UMHB took a two-point lead, but Nunez tied it back up 20 seconds later. Off another forced turnover, Alexis Carmosino gave Sul Ross back the lead with 6:42 left. They would never surrender it again. The Lobos converted five straight possessions and found them up seven with time running out. After that crucial run offensively, the Crusaders only ever came within six the rest of the way and they closed out the game with a three and a half minute scoring drought. The Lobos similarly couldn't convert, but the lead they secured and capitalizing on five straight free throws put this game out of reach. A 16-year losing streak finally came to an end to the tune of 55-46.

Vania Hampton had a monster night. A strong double-double with 18 and 14. Sul Ross finished the night with 10 offensive rebounds and Hampton accounted for six of those. She showed great instinct and tenacity all night long. She was also big at the free throw stripe where she converted 9-of-11 attempts. Teresa Quintana contributed 15 points and three steals.

The Crusaders were forced to go deep into their bench with 13 players seeing playing time to try and crack Sul Ross' defense. They had a decent shooting night at 40% but couldn't find any edge behind the three-point line or get anyone on the free throw stripe. 

The real turning point was how the Lobos responded to offensive lulls in the first and third quarters. 18 in the second and 20 in the final quarter made up for the two single-digit showings in the other quarters. 20 total turnovers by the Crusaders led to 15 fast break points on the other end and allowed Sul Ross to hang around. It was certainly a back and forth game with three ties and seven lead changes. 

As the final seconds melted off the clock, there was a palpable sense of relief in the ecstatic cheers from the Lobos. A 16-year weight had finally been lifted off the program. It may have started off being business as usual, but Sul Ross collectively handled their business to make sure this streak starts to swing in a different direction. 

This brings their overall record to 6-9 and 4-2 in conference.

The Lobos have a few days to celebrate this win and ride a two-game winning streak before facing Concordia on Saturday, February 6 with a 1:00 p.m. tip at Gallego Center.