RECAP BY DAWSON BEARD
On Thursday night, the Sul Ross State University women's basketball team picked up the win in its conference opener with an 82-73 victory over the University of the Ozarks at the Pete P. Gallego Center.
>>HOW IT HAPPENED:
The Lobos took a quick 9-0 lead to begin the game starting with layups by
Victoria Aguayo,
Morgan Peralez, and
Marley Rokas. The run was capped off by a
Cheyanne Bonilla three-pointer at 6:56.
The Lobos were able to keep the lead until 7:21 left in the second quarter. The Lobos lost the lead, but quickly got it back following a layup by Aguayo with 5:36 left in the second quarter. The Lobos did not lose the lead again for the rest of the game.
Peralez scored eight of her 16 points in the second quarter with a series of layups and a jumper.
The Lobos outscored the Ozarks 24-15 in the third quarter. Rokas got the scoring started with a jumper in the paint. Rokas went on to score a team-high 10 points for the quarter.
The Lobos took their biggest lead of the game following a free throw by Aguayo at the 1:05 mark of the third quarter that gave the Lobos a 12-point lead over the Eagles. The Lobos lead would reach the 12-point mark two more times throughout the rest of the game.
Kayley Diaz added five points of her own off the bench in the third quarter off a mid-range jumper at 6:02, and a three pointer at the five-minute mark.
The fourth quarter was more of a team effort.
Bonilla and Peralez scored six and four points respectively in the quarter. Rokas scored three points off a jump shot and a free throw, and Aguayo and
Ariana Escalante scored two apiece.
>>RECORDS: Sul Ross State (3-3); University of the Ozarks (4-3)
>>WHAT THE COACH SAID:
"The Ozarks had been playing really well, so I expected my post players to step up. They did a really good job, and we shot the ball really well, so I was very happy about that. Marley shot the ball really well, and so did Victoria and Morgan. Everybody scored. It was a team effort. Usually, we don't have many assists, but this game we did, and we definitely improved on turnovers. Before the game I told everybody, 'It's your first conference game, and we need to play together as a team.' I think they are responding, so I am very happy about today's game. I think as long as we do our jobs, we're going to win a lot of games." –
Head Coach EJ Lee Smith on the win
>>WHAT THE PLAYERS SAID:
"My shot was hitting today, which was great, but honestly our team ball, and our team chemistry, was what won us the game. Also, on defense, [
Victoria Aguayo] had many steals, and her rebounding was great. We out-rebounded them and out-shot them, and it helped us with the win. We just picked up what we learned from this weekend. We were ready for the press, we were ready for their hard defense, and it carried over to the game. We were focused and prepared for this game. Stepping into conference is a whole new game and a whole new atmosphere. I hope that our whole team learns what makes us successful, and that we can keep going with that. Every game is a new game, every team can be beatable, but some teams are harder, some teams are easier. We just need to make sure we have our focus throughout conference." –
Marley Rokas
>>GAME NOTES:
- The Lobos got a decisive victory in the rebound battle, 43-32.
- Rokas led the team in scoring with 21 points, also picking up two steals and grabbing five boards.
- Peralez scored 16 points, with three steals and seven rebounds.
- Aguayo led the Lobos in rebounds with 10, and also blocks with two.
- Aguayo and Bonilla both led the team in assists with six.
- Bonilla and Diaz scored the only two three-pointers of the game for the Lobos.
- The Lobos shot 12 for 16 from the line. Diaz was a perfect 4 for 4 from the charity stripe.
- The Lobos forced 20 turnovers that led to 21 points.
- The Lobos more than doubled the Eagles' points in the paint, outscoring the Ozarks 50-24.
>> UP NEXT: Sul Ross State takes on the University of Texas at Dallas at 1:00 p.m. CST on Saturday, Dec. 2 at the Pete P. Gallego Center.
