An overtime basket by Vaquera forward Megan Johnson gave UTRGV the edge to beat No.2 conference-ranked Seattle University tonight in the Fieldhouse.
Head Coach Larry Tidwell commended Johnson and forward Quynne Huggins while explaining how limiting the Hawks’ key player was a big factor in the victory.
“We rebounded pretty good,” Tidwell said. “Quynne really stepped up and played well. Megan always plays hard, but we limited [Alexis] Montgomery. We went at her and held her at 11 points; she averages 20, and she’s the best player in the conference.”
UTRGV finished the night with an overall record of 12-13 and 2-8 in the Western Athletic Conference.
A home crowd of over 470 people saw the Vaqueras sport pink socks in commemoration of BelieVe in the Cure Night.
The game opened up to a ruthless and menacing Seattle U offense, as the home team saw itself being trampled 9-0 in the first four minutes. UTRGV managed to break loose with a 3-pointer by forward Krisynthia Sampson.
However, a buzzer beater at the end of the first quarter kept the Vaqueras down 15-13.
At the end of the half, the Hawks led 37-30. The conclusion of the third quarter drew UTRGV closer to the visitors, 52-50. By this point, multiple timeouts, including one for blood from a player, and several fouls created an atmosphere of contention between the two teams.
This went on to the last quarter when Sampson caused the crowd to erupt when she sunk a smooth 3-pointer to give her team the lead with five minutes left on the clock.
Overtime was a period of intense defense, as both teams kept each other at bay. Even with an imposing Seattle U, Johnson and Huggins managed to drive the ball home with a bucket each in overtime.
Huggins tallied 21 points and 11 rebounds, while Johnson garnered 22 points and five rebounds.
Johnson ended the night by saying the team can and will play every match with the same grit and spirit they displayed in tonight’s win.
“I have faith in every single girl’s ability on this team,” she said. “We are fighters. We are not gonna give up. We’re never gonna give up. It doesn’t matter how far down we are.”
Follow the Vaqueras at home as they take on WAC foe Utah Valley University at 7 p.m. Saturday in the Fieldhouse.
