DAYTONA BEACH, Florida – The Angelo State women's basketball team scored a season high in points defeating Illinois Springfield 89-52 on the final day of the Daytona Hoops Classic on Tuesday.

The Belles improve to 7-2 by limiting an Illinois Springfield team, which had been averaging 80.6 per game, to just 52 points on 25.7 percent shooting. ASU used its size to out rebound the Prairie Stars (8-2) 59-30 and score 38 points in the paint compared to just 14 for UIS. Angelo State shot 47 percent from the field and behind the arc while adding 34 points from the bench.

"I was incredibly proud of how unselfish our girls played," Angelo State head women's basketball coach Renae Shippy said. "They played with a ton of heart and passion and it was fun to watch them play together. We had five kids in double figures and two with double-doubles which is great to see. Our defensive efforts were great against a talented Illinois Springfield team that was averaging 80 points per game. I was happy with our offensive and defensive efforts in both game while here in Daytona Beach. 

Five Belles scored in double figures led by De'Anira Moore's seventh double-double of the season. The sophomore scored a game high 16 points and grabbed 15 rebounds. Ekiya Gray once again scored in double figures in just her second game of the season with a season high 15 points. Mikayla Blount recorded her first career double-double. The junior set career highs with 15 points and 11 rebounds. She scored 12 of her 14 points from 3-pointers.  Dezirae Hampton added 13 points while Marquita Daniels chipped in 11.

Angelo State jumped out to an 8-2 advantage through the first four minutes of the first quarter. Moore scored six of the eight points. The Prairie Stars battled back to take a 9-8 lead on seven straight points. The Belles scored three straight points to go up 11-9 before a tip-in with under 30 seconds left tied the game at 11 at the end of the first quarter.

The Belles opened the second quarter on a big run of 18-5 with Gray providing a majority of the scoring. The senior scored 10 of her 16 points in the second quarter including eight straight to start the second quarter. Hampton and Blount hit back-to-back 3-pointers to push the lead to 13. Blount closed the half out with another 3-pointer to put the Belles on top 34-21.

Hampton provided a spark for Angelo State to start the third quarter with six straight points. Illinois Springfield trimmed the Belles deficit to 12 at 47-35 with 4:08 in the third quarter. Moore hit a jumper to start a 16-4 run. The sophomore would score 10 of her 15 points in the third quarter. Daniels hit a jumper and followed it up with a steal and a fast break layup during the run. A layup by Moore as time expired gave ASU a 63-39 advantage going into the fourth quarter.

The Belles continue to build on their lead as Daniels, Blount, Kynese Davis and Keanna Kelly all hit 3-pointers in the fourth quarter. Blount drained two 3-pointers and scored eight of her career high 14 in the fourth quarter.

Angelo State returns to the court after the Christmas break on Saturday, Dec. 30 at 2 p.m. against Texas A&M International at Stephens Arena in the Junell Center.