Daniels Leads ASU Past Tarleton in 108-103 Thriller - Lone Star Conference Skip To Main Content
Vladimir Cherry

Women's Basketball By Nick Eatman

Daniels Leads ASU Past Tarleton in 108-103 Thriller

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.
 
       
Angelo State Notes:
  • ASU improved to 31-24 in all-time tournament games of the LSC Championship. The Belles will make their ninth appearance in the finals and are seeking its sixth LSC tournament title and first since 2016.
  • The Belles have now scored 113, 85 and now 108 in the last three games, totaling 306 in the last three contests.
  • Maria Delgado had her third-most points of the season with 20 points. Her six 3-pointers made matched her season-high against Cameron earlier this season.
  • Daniels scored over 20 points for the ninth time this season and set a season-high for assists with nine.
  • The 108 points scored ranks fifth all-time in Angelo State history, and second this season (113).
 
Tarleton State Notes:
  • The 103 points scored is the most by the TexAnns in a loss. The 108 allowed and 103 scored are also the most points by TSU in an LSC Championship game.
  • Kaylee Allen had a season-high 27 points, surpassing 20 points for the fifth time this year.
  • Tarleton State is now 15-15 in its 30 games of the LSC Championship. The TexAnns still have three tournament titles.
  • Bostad’s 27 points marked the fifth time she went over the 20-point total. Three of the five games have occurred here in Frisco.
  • Hailey set a season-high with 26 points and reached double figures for the 11th consecutive game.
  • The 103 points scored are the most by TSU against an NCAA opponent.