November 18, 2023

JACKSON, Miss. - The University of Dallas women's basketball team defeated Belhaven University 79-72 in game one of the Millsaps Fall Classic on Saturday, improving to 3-1 on the year.

Neither team was at their best in the first quarter, but the Crusaders wasted no time jumping out to a 10-0 lead inside of four minutes.  The tides quickly shifted as Dallas hit a nasty cold streak, going oh for their next eleven field goal attempts and allowing the Blazers to take an 11-10 lead with 45 seconds left.  A layup by Alyssa Sullivan ensured that Dallas went into the second quarter with a narrow 12-11 lead.

The shots began to fall for Dallas and they outshot Belhaven 41% (14-of-34) to 26% (9-of-34) across the second and third quarters, but a physical game on the defensive side of the ball saw the Blazers make numerous trips to the line.  They kept themselves in the game by shooting over 80% from the free throw line in that same span, going 18-of-22.

The Crusaders had just a one point lead going into the fourth quarter.  Though their shots weren't falling at the same rate, shooting just 28% in the period, Dallas pulled away and secured the win with phenomenal free throw shooting, going 15-of-17 from the line in the fourth quarter.

Tessa Hastings led all players with 25 points (8-of-20 FG, 8-of-12 FT), scoring 20+ points in consecutive games for the first time in her career.  Taylor Rawls (pictured) had the best night of her career, providing 11 points (5-of-8 FG) in 20 minutes off the bench.

Jordan Gillespie cracked double digits for the first time this season, notching 10 points on the night.  She also recorded six assists, seven rebounds, and posted a new career-high with seven steals.

Up Next

The Crusaders will face Millsaps tomorrow, Nov. 19 in the final game of the tournament.  Tip-off is scheduled for 2:00 pm central.