Week 9 Notes
After weeks of non-conference play now completed, the conference schedule begins in earnest with a full slate of LSC games Thursday and Saturday (Jan. 4, 6) scheduled against division opponents. The next nine weeks have teams targeting a berth in the eight-team 2024 LSC Women's Basketball Tournament scheduled March 7-10 at Comerica Center in Frisco, Texas.
UT Tyler leads all 16 conference teams with a clean 5-0 mark vs. all LSC opponents and joins Texas A&M International and UAFS with 1-0 marks in East Division play. Midwestern State is 1-0 to lead the LSC West Division.
LSC Women's Basketball Schedule and Results
LSC Digital Network
Texas A&M International begins January as the top scoring team in the LSC, averaging 83.6 points per game followed by UT Permian Basin (77.0 ppg) and Angelo State (72.1 ppg). On the defensive side, UT Tyler is holding opponents to an average 51.1 ppg with St. Edward's (58.2 ppg) and Lubbock Christian (58.5 ppg) right behind.
A trio of 17-point-plus scorers tops LSC point production, led by Ashley Ingram (TWU) at 17.9 ppg. Grace Foster (LCU) and Raiana Brown (TAMIU) follow at 17.7 ppg and 17.6 ppg, respectively. Alexus Quaadman (UTPB) is the top rebounder in the LSC (11.5 rpg).
LSC in the Polls
LSC vs. Division II (Jan 2): LSC teams carry a combined 48-43 (.527) against NCAA Division II opponents through games of December 19. Region-by-region: South Central (RMAC) 23-17; West 9-2; Southeast 2-0; Midwest 1-0; Central 13-18; South 0-4; Atlantic 0-2.
PLAYERS OF THE WEEK: Games December 21-January 1
OFFENSIVE
Tina Machalova, UT Tyler, G, Jr., Management, Kosice, Slovakia (Young Angles Kosice)
Guard Tina Machalova scored a team-high 17 points and collected a key defensive rebound with 25 seconds left in the game to seal UT Tyler's 61-55 upset of then #5 Texas Woman's (Dec. 30). The East Division win keeps the Patriots' atop the overall LSC standings (5-0) and among teams receiving votes in the January 2 WBCA Division II poll. The junior was 5-for-12 from the floor, including 4-for-7 from deep, and added three rebounds and three assists to her game totals.
DEFENSIVE
Raiana Brown, Texas A&M International, F, Sr., Multidisciplinary Studies, Wheatley Heights, N.Y. (North Babylon HS)
Forward Raiana Brown's defensive efforts helped Texas A&M International hold LeTourneau to 42 points – the fewest allowed by the Dustdevils this season – and force 53 turnovers in an 82-42 non-conference win to close the 2023 schedule (Dec. 29). Brown collected 5 steals, a blocked shot and finished with game-highs in points (16) and rebounds (7). The win helped move the Dustdevils into the #25 spot in the January 2 WBCA Division II poll.
Weekly Awards
Offensive Player of the Week
Nov. 7 Ashley Ingram, Texas Woman's
Nov. 14 Leila Patel, Texas Woman's
Nov. 20 Andreea Mancha, UT Permian Basin
Nov. 27 Sawyer Lloyd, Angelo State
Dec. 4 Tay McGhee-Pleasant, Angelo State
Dec. 11 Zarria Carter, Midwestern State
Dec. 18 Grace Foster, Lubbock Christian
Dec. 20 Tina Machalova, UT Tyler
Jan. 2 Tina Machalova, UT Tyler
Defensive Player of the Week
Nov. 7 Ngozi Obineke, Texas A&M International
Nov. 14 Maci Maddox, Lubbock Christian
Nov. 20 Avalon Munoz, UT Permian Basin
Nov. 27 Malea Jackson, Texas A&M International
Dec. 4 Montse Gutierrez, UT Tyler
Dec. 11 Alexus Quaadman, UT Permian Basin
Dec. 18
Nyalam Thabach, West Texas A&M
Dec. 20 Catalina Cortez, Midwestern State
Jan. 2 Raiana Brown, Texas A&M International