Final Box  |  Basketblog

SAN ANGELO, Texas – Morgan Youngblood had a career high 20 points, while Paige Weishuhn netted a game-high 22 en route to a 76-69 win over Texas A&M-International at the Junell Center Friday.
 
“Morgan has really stepped it up this year, and I could not be happier for her,” Weishuhn said. “She gave it everything she had. She played hard, made her free throws and was able to put up some big numbers for us.”
 
Angelo State (1-0) took advantage of its height, as the Belles enjoyed a 22-12 points-in-the-paint advantage over the Dustdevils (0-1). Lauren Holt had a game-high eight rebounds and tossed in 10 points for ASU, while Ashley James had five assists.  The Belles are now 8-3 in season openers under 11th-year head coach Sally Walling Brooks.
 
“It was a good win, where we had to stay focused from beginning to end,” Brooks said. “We had to make good decisions on defense, we had to rebound the basketball and we had to make free throws. We did all three of those things in the second half, and we were able to get a win.”
 
Weishuhn took control in the first 20 minutes for Angelo State, as the senior rattled in 12 first-half points. Her last bucket came at the 2:54 mark to give ASU its largest lead of the half, 35-27. The cushion was short lived, as the Dustdevils closed the half on an 8-2 and cut the deficit to two (37-35).
 
The Dustdevils' quick-scoring offense built a 45-39 lead highlighted by a trio of three pointers from TAMIU's Amanda Mangan, Samantha Chacon and Desteney Howard. International finished the game 9-of-26 from beyond the three-point arc.
 
“They built a lead on us, and we had to buckle down and make a comeback,” Brooks said. “We learned a lot about ourselves (Friday), and I'm proud of how our girls responded.”
                                                                                                                                                                                               
ASU freshman Haylee Oliver stole the momentum from the Dustdevil sideline when the she buried a three from the wing at the 14:55 mark. Weishuhn and Youngblood would combine for the Belles' next nine points, and Angelo State regained the lead, 50-49, with 12:41 left.
 
In a game that featured five ties and four lead changes, the Belles would eventually create some breathing room from TAMIU by knocking down free throws. Angelo State shot 31-of-43 from the line, led by Youngblood who went 13-of-15. The junior from Thorndale knocked in a pair with :09 remaining to secure a 76-69 victory.
 
Angelo State will host Texas-Permian Basin Tuesday, Nov. 15, at 6 p.m. at the Junell Center / Stephens Arena.