SAN ANGELO, Texas – The Angelo State Belle basketball team returns home to the Junell Center Stephens Arena this week as the Belles face off against fellow conference players, the St. Edwards Hilltoppers and the St. Mary's Rattlers on Thursday, January 23 at 5:30 p.m. and Saturday, January 25 at 2 p.m., respectively.
The Belles are 9-5 overall and 6-4 in conference.
 
Game Info:
Angelo State vs St Edwards
Thursday, January 23 | 5:30 p.m.
 
Angelo State vs St. Mary's
Saturday, January 25 | 2 p.m.
 
Series Matchup:
The last time that the Belles and Hilltoppers played each other was on December 18, 2017 where the Belles defeated St. Edwards in the Daytona Hoops Classic in Daytona, 82-53. Since 2012, the Belles and Hilltoppers have played each other five times, with Angelo State leading the series 5-0. Madi Greenwood led the Belles offense against St. Edwards, scoring 20 points, registering nine total rebounds, one on offense and eight on defense, one assist, one steal, and one block. De'Anira Moore and Dezirae Hampton led the Belles on defense with Moore registering 11 total rebounds,  eight on offense and three on defense, as well as two blocks. Hampton registered 10 total rebounds, three on offense and seven on defense, as well as one steal and two assists.
 
The last time the Belles and Rattlers played each other was on December 8, 2018, where the Rattlers defeated the Belles 70-64 at home. Since 2006, the Belles and Rattlers have played each other 11 times, with St. Mary's leading the all-time series, 7-4. De'Anira Moore led the Belles offense, scoring 17 points for the Belles, and registering 13 total rebounds, five on offense and eight on defense, as well as one assist. Marquita Daniels led the Belles defense, registering five total rebounds, one on offense and four on defense, as well as three assists and two steals.
 
Scouting St. Edwards:
The Hilltoppers enter into the week with an 11-5 overall record and a 7-4 conference record. Deijah Blanks leads the Hilltoppers in scoring, averaging 19.9 points a game. Blanks is shooting 48% from the field, 32% from the three point line, and 79% from the free throw line. Sammie Dufek leads the Hilltoppers defense, averaging 7.5 rebounds a game with a total of 120 rebounds, 52 on offense and 68 on defense.
 
Scouting St. Mary's:
The Rattlers enter into the week with an 8-7 overall record and a 7-4 conference record. Soteria Banks leads the Hilltoppers offense in scoring, averaging 17.5 points a game. Banks is shooting 42% from the field, 38% from the three point line, and 74% from the free throw line. Hannah Wilson leads the Rattlers defense, averaging nine rebounds a game with a total of 137 rebounds, 55 on offense and 82 on defense.
 
Key Players:
De'Anira Moore currently leads the Belles in scoring and rebounds, averaging 17.6 points a game and 8.4 rebounds a game. Moore is currently ranked third in the Lone Star Conference for scoring, behind Maighan Hedge of Cameron and Deijah Blanks of St. Edwards. Moore is shooting 49% from the field, and 75% from the free throw line, and has registered a total of 117, 41 on offense and 76 on defense. Moore is ranked fourth in the conference in rebounds, averaging 2.9 rebounds on offense and 5.4 rebounds on defense.
Sawyer Lloyd has very quickly become one of the Belles most versatile players as a true freshman. Lloyd is averaging 11.4 points a game, and is shooting 42% from the field, 37% from the three point line, and 62% from the free throw line. Lloyds quick thinking and speed on defense has her ranked third on the team for rebounds with 74 total rebounds, 16 on offense and 58 on defense, as well as second on blocks with Lloyd having eight total blocks for the season so far. Lloyd has registered 39 assists and 23 steals for the season so far as well.
 
Up Next:
The Belles take to the road as they travel to Tyler, Texas to face off against the UT-Tyler Patriots on Thursday, January 30, and then travel to Commerce, Texas to face the No. 6 Texas A&M-Commerce Lions on Saturday, February 1. Tip offs are scheduled for 5:30 p.m. on Thursday and 2 p.m. on Saturday.