Six Lady Crusaders churned out double-digit point production, and UMHB went more than 11 minutes without surrendering a field goal in an 82-52 thrashing of Sul Ross State at Mayborn Campus Center on Saturday afternoon.
The victory snapped a three-game losing streak and - coupled with Concordia Texas’ loss to No. 2 Howard Payne - moved the Lady Crusaders (9-7 overall, 7-5 American Southwest Conference) into a tie for fourth place in the ASC West.
The top four teams in each division qualify for the conference tournament, and UMHB shot itself back into contention by connecting on 47 percent of its attempts from the floor while holding the Lady Lobos (6-10, 5-8) to 27 percent.
“We were hungry on the offensive end,” said UMHB coach Kim Kirkpatrick, whose squad gradually stretched a 16-point halftime lead by shooting 56 percent in the second half. “Our shooting had struggled so much that I tried to take some pressure off by telling them, ‘If you keep playing tough defense and really crashing the boards, the offense will come around.’
“We had good shot selection and were more relaxed. They weren’t pressing and forcing things as much on the offensive end.”
Senior guard Blair Heitmiller opened each half with a 3-pointer and finished with 11 points, as did Sasha Monreal and Landie Thompson.
Junior post Kellie Thomas, whose production has increased of late, Jenny Black and Janel Daniels added 10 points apiece.
“Those three games we lost put a fire under us,” said Thomas, who was coming off an 18-point performance Thursday and grabbed a team-high nine rebounds Saturday. “It made us determined to come out and get a win.”
The Lady Crusaders led by only a point before clamping down on the Lady Lobos.
After Janice Mitchell - who had a game-high 17 points - pulled Sul Ross to within 22-21 with 8:04 left in the first half, the Lady Lobos didn’t hit another field goal until the 16:44 mark of the second half.
No UMHB player had more than four points during the 27-4 run as the Lady Crusaders moved the ball effectively and stymied the Lady Lobos with a combination of defenses.
“We were playing off make or miss as to whether we went zone or man-to-man,” Kirkpatrick said. “I think it helped us because it kept Sul Ross from getting settled into their offense, and we do play well in the zone.”
The Lady Crusaders dished out 23 assists - five by point guard Mallory McAdams - and led by as many as 38 points in the final minutes.
UMHB shares fourth place in the West with Concordia (9-7, 7-5) and has games against bottom-feeders Schreiner (5-12, 4-9) and Texas Lutheran (0-17, 0-13) before facing the Tornados, whom the Lady Crusaders beat in Belton in their first matchup.
“We know winning the West is probably out of reach, so our goal is to make the conference tournament,” Kirkpatrick said. “Our focus right now is to make sure we take care of business so we get into the tournament."
edrennan@temple-telegram.com
