DALLAS, Texas – It was another blowout victory for the Dallas Christian College women's basketball team against Southwestern Adventist University. The latest in four games this season came on Tuesday at home in a 93-48 final. These teams had just met three days prior in Keene, Texas, where DCC had earned an 86-61 triumph.
In all four outings, the Crusaders used a huge first quarter to take over the game, but this latest one was a season-high 40 points in one frame. The home team raced out to a 40-6 lead and then carried a 62-19 advantage at intermission. The Crusaders largest lead of the game was 60 by the end of the third quarter, which saw a 24-7 scoring advantage in that frame. It appeared that the Crusaders might break triple-digits for the first time this season, but a seven-point fourth had them settle for a season-high in scoring and break 90 points for the third time this campaign (twice in regulation).
Amber Covington scored a new career-high 22 points with a perfect 6-for-6 field goal shooting and 10-for-12 effort at the free throw line. She grabbed six rebounds, dished two assists, and swiped three steals.
Mckayla Washington tallied 15 points and had a team-high five steals to go with five assists. The sophomore guard also made 7-of-12 field goals.
Keiarra Rivers ended her four-game double-double streak, but did post 11 points to go with team-highs in rebounds (7) and assists (6). She also had four steals.
Naiya Brown had the rare feat of scoring double figures in all four matchups against the Knights, as she rounded out the quartet of starters in double-digits for points with 10. The guard also had three assists and two steals.
Carmen Rosales led the bench with seven points, as nine reserves saw action on the court. 12 different players found the bottom of the net.
The Crusaders shot 40.4 percent from the floor and were 16-for-18 at the free throw line, although most of that was from Covington. DCC was quick with 36 fastbreak points, 38 points off turnovers, and 58 points in the paint. The home team compiled 26 steals with eight players with multiple, and a season-high 29 assists.
SWAU did make the same amount of three-pointers with five and had one advantage in total boards, 49-48. The Knights did turn the ball over 42 times, although 30 were in the first half. Sarah Valderrama made 14 points with 5-of-8 shooting and 4-of-7 three-point shooting. Reagan Sandefur had a double-double with 10 points and game-high 12 boards.
The Crusaders won their program-record 20
th game and are 20-6 overall with a 4-4 record against NCCAA Division II Southwest Regional teams. It was also their 12
th home win on the season with one more game to go.
They were tabbed eighth in the latest
NCCAA Division II Women's Basketball Top 10 Power Rankings. The first power ratings release also came out.
Head Coach Larry Tidwell announced his retirement. It is well deserved after over 40 years of coaching winning basketball and serving the game as an ambassador that loves the game, and also promoting winning qualities on and off the court.
Dallas Christian is at Arlington Baptist University for a rematch on Tuesday at Arlington. The Crusaders fell by a point in the first outing. On Thursday, the Crusaders will play their final regular season game at the friendly confines against Champion Christian College. Tip-off is at 5:30 p.m. and is part of Crusader Day. It will also be Senior Day for a trio of DCC players:
Leia Twine,
Nina Hedrington, and
Faith Salinas.
"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."
