SAN ANGELO – The Angelo State women's basketball team scored the most points in a regulation game in school history in a 108-67 home opening win over Arlington Baptist on Tuesday evening.
"I was pleased with our team chemistry tonight and the way we share the ball," Angelo State's head women's basketball coach Kevin Baker said. "We played very hard and caused some turnovers with our press. This team will improve each time we play and it will make for an exciting year. This team has a long way to go but I enjoyed watching them compete tonight."
The Belles (1-0) opened its season by hitting 53.1-percent from the field and forcing 22 turnovers. The Patriots (1-3) were held to 32.8-percent from the floor and only 23 points in the first half. ASU scored 34 points off the 22 turnovers and out rebounded ABC 54-34. The only Belle game with more points was a 118—110 double-overtime victory against Texas Woman's on January 22, 2000. ASU is now 21-20 all-time in season openers.
Taylor Dorsey had a career night with her first double-double as a Belle. The junior scored 27 points and grabbed 10 rebounds in 21 minutes of action. Brea Mitchell collected a double-double as well with 12 points and 10 rebounds. Two other Belles scored in double figures as Kiahna Thompson and Diamalises Rivera each scored 10 points. A total of 13 different players scored in the game and the Belles received 47 points from the bench.
ASU jumps out early in the first half with a 9-2 run over the first three quarters. Dorsey scored four points and KeAnna Kelly hit a three pointer. A free throw shot by ABC's Jade Johnson cut the lead to five at 13-8 but back-to-back jumpers in the paint by Rivera sparked an 11-0 surge to make it 21-8. A jumper by Natalie Quesnel made it 28-9 at the end of the first quarter.
The Belles put the game away in the second quarter outscoring the Patriots 38-14. Dorsey started the quarter off with a three and Kelly made a steal found Dorsey on a fast break layup for a 36-10 advantage. ASU scored 20 fast break points compared to just eight for Arlington Baptist. Jasmine Prophet scored in the paint to start a 16-0 run aided by eight points from Dorsey. Arlington Baptist was able to score 10 points over the final four minutes to cut the lead to 66-23 at the break.
ASU hit 59.6-percent from the field in the first half and held ABC to 20-0 percent.
The scoring slowed down slightly in the third quarter with ASU only adding 17 points. Thompson scored five of her 10 points in the third quarter including an old fashioned three point after she was fouled on a layup. ASU's lead was cut to 36 at 74-38 but the Belles were able to close out the quarter on a 9-4 run going into the fourth quarter.
The Belles made history in the fourth quarter becoming just the eighth team and the first since 2000 to score over 100 points in a game on a jumper from Lou Hawkins. ASU slowly crept up the all-time scoring list before the final of 108-65. ASU will return to Stephens Arena at the Junell Center on Saturday, Nov. 21 at 2 p.m. to host Western New Mexico.
ASU Women's Basketball vs Arlington Baptist 17Nov15 - Images by Angelo State University
