FRISCO – Wow!
That is really the only way to describe one of the wildest games in LSC Championship history that set numerous records for both teams.
In the end, Angelo State outlasted Tarleton State 108-103 in the final game of the day Saturday of the LSC Championship semifinal round. The Rambelles will move on to Sunday's final to play No. 1 seeded West Texas A&M (3:30 p.m.) at Comerica Center.
Moments before tipoff Saturday night, it appeared ASU guard Marquita Daniels would be limited with an ankle injury she suffered on Friday. While she didn't start, Daniels came off the bench and absolutely ignited her squad, making her first seven shots en route to a magical performance of 29 points, nine assists and five rebounds. However, it was one of the few defensive plays in the game that might have been Daniels' most impressive moment. Seconds after she made a driving layup, Daniels rushed back and blocked a shot by TSU's Nina Alvarez off the backboard with just 1:33 to play and the Belles leading by three.
There weren't many shots that didn't fall Saturday night as both teams completely lit up the scoreboard and both flirted with the LSC Championship single-game record for field goal percentage in a game. The TexAnns missed a final 3-pointer that likely would've given them the record of 63 percent. TSU still shot 42-68 (61.8 percent), while Angelo State made 41 of 71 (57.7), including 13 of 26 from 3-point land.
The Belles got off to great start, hitting 14 of 16 shots in the first quarter for 87.5 percent.
Other than Daniels, the Belles got 20 points from Maria Delgado, who drilled six 3-pointers. De'Anira Moore scored 18 points and Dezirae Hampton scored 16 points with seven boards.
The TexAnns had three players with at least 26 points, led by Kaylee Allen's 27 points. McKinley Bostad and Mackenzie Hailey each scored 26, while Hailey pulled down 12 rebounds.
The loss drops TSU to 22-8 on the season but the TexAnns will likely have a spot in next week's regional tournament. Tarleton entered the weekend ranked fifth in the South Central Regional.
ASU has a shot to earn an automatic berth, but the Belles were fourth already and could climb up a spot or two with these two victories so far.
