KEENE, Texas - The Dallas Christian College women's basketball team defeated Southwestern Adventist University, 89-51, on MLK Day in the third and final day of the Knights Invitational. After not playing on Sunday, the Crusaders dominated in the opening quarter that featured their highest scoring quarter this season with 31 points. It was the second time in a game that DCC eclipsed 30 points, achieving the mark on December 6, 2021, versus Calvary University at home in the second quarter.
The Crusaders would cruise in the opening 10 minutes to an eventual 31-9 advantage. This happened thanks to DCC scoring 24 of the first 26 points.
Amber Covington did most of the heavy lifting for the guests, pouring 15 of her career-high 20 points in that frame, in which she made seven-of-nine field goals. The junior forward out of Rogers, Arkansas, would notch her second straight double-double with a game-high 16 rebounds. She had 19 points and 13 rebounds in the team's most recent outing against Bible Baptist College.
The Knights answered with a 16-12 favorable run in the second quarter. The margin had shrunk to 36-25 with just over two minutes before halftime. DCC put together a run that removed any doubt of a comeback with
Faith Salinas hitting a jumper and
Naiya Brown getting a layup that led to DCC scoring the final seven points to carry an 18-point spread into halftime. The visitors put the pedal down in the third quarter with a 25-5 scoring streak that was headlined by
Keiarra Rivers' nine points.
Courtnee Locke added five in that span.
DCC shot 45.6 percent from the floor and made seven trifectas. Behind Covington's big performance was Rivers with 13 points and Brown produced her highest scoring of the 2022 season with 10. DCC eclipsed 50 rebounds with that exact mark. Rivers, Brown, Salinas,
Taylor Brokenberry, and
Ki'onna Hilliard all contributed with at least five. The Crusaders swiped 23 steals, led by Brokenberry with six. Covington was right behind with five and Salinas grabbed four. The trio of post-players should all have reached personal-bests on those individual marks in that category.
Leia Twine chipped in eight points from the bench to lead the reserves. This included a pair of treys. Locke and
Nelly Vargas each had seven points.
Nina Hedrington chimed in with two three-pointers for all six of her points.
Other large differences in the team stats included 44-20 points in the paint, 37-13 on points off turnovers, and 13-5 second chance points. The one advantage the Knights had was an 18-for-25 display at the free throw line. DCC slumped to a 10-for-22 result on the afternoon.
The 89 points marked a season-high in total points scored in a road game this season. It was also the second highest scoring output in a game in regulation. That Calvary home game is the top mark with 92. DCC has also tallied 91 points in a home win versus Randall University (November 19, 2021), but that game went to overtime. The Crusaders previous highest score total on the road was at Manhattan Christian College, 84-67, on December 1, 2021.
DCC has now outscored the Knights 175-74 in two games this campaign, Both were hosted tournaments and have not counted as regional contests. These teams will meet two more times in February on the 5th and 8th in a home and home situation.
The Crusaders improved to 14-4 overall, while Southwestern Adventist fell to 1-11 on the campaign.
Dallas Christian is back on its home court tomorrow at 5:30 p.m. versus No. 10 Arlington Baptist University. This will be a pivotal game, as DCC looks for a win against a top 10 ranked team in the NCCAA Division II Power Rankings. The Crusaders have been ranked fifth, fourth, and now ninth in the three released polls this season. They are 1-2 against ranked opponents.
"Dallas Christian educates and mentors students to be people of influence engaging in their calling to the work of Christ in the church and in the world."
