A Close One for The Rambelles

On Saturday, Feb. 24, the Angelo State University Rambelles basketball team defeated the University of Texas at Tyler Patriots in a close match of 69-62.

Freshman guard Madi Lumsden kicked off the first quarter with two free throws; the Patriots followed up with a layup to tie the score. After a layup by sophomore guard Landry Morrow, the Patriots took the lead with a 3-pointer. Shortly after the Rambelles retook the lead with a jump shot by Morrow and one by senior guard Sawyer Lloyd, the Patriots tied the score 8-8 with another 3-pointer. Junior guard Madison Honea locked in the Rambelles’ first 3-pointer, followed by a jump shot by sophomore forward Alexandra Bednarczyk. Following a layup by the Patriots, the Rambelles responded with a free throw by sophomore center Keniah Williams and a layup by senior forward Tayjanna McGhee-Pleasant. Lloyd would finish the quarter with a 3-pointer, with the Rambelles leading 19-10.

The Patriots started the second quarter with a layup, followed by two free throws by junior forward Madeline Stephens. The second minute saw the Patriots make progress with three layups for a 21-18 score. After a free throw by sophomore forward Aicha Ndir, the Patriots followed up with two free throws. Following a layup and free throw by McGhee-Pleasant, the Patriots secured a jump shot. Soon after a 3-pointer by Lumsden, Williams scored a free throw for a 29-22 lead. The Patriots eventually tied the score with two free throws, a 3-pointer and a layup. After a 3-pointer by Lloyd, the Patriots managed a last-minute jump shot; however, the Rambelles still held the lead by 1 point, ending the quarter 32-31.

The third quarter kicked off with a 3-pointer by Stephens, followed by a layup by McGhee-Pleasant and a jump shot by Stephens. The fifth minute saw a layup and free throw by the Patriots alongside another 3-pointer by Stephens and a jump shot by Lumsden. The seventh minute saw a third 3-pointer by Stephens, shortly followed by a 3-pointer by the Patriots. Catching up, the Patriots scored two free throws and a layup for a 47-43 score. Two free throws by Morrow would place the Rambelles further ahead, alongside a layup and free throw by McGhee-Pleasant to end the quarter 52-43.

The final quarter began with a free throw by Morrow, shortly followed by a jump shot and 3-pointer by the Patriots. The Patriots would inch closer to the Rambelles with a jump shot; however, a layup and jump shot by McGhee-Pleasant with a 3-pointer by Lloyd would widen the gap again. Following a 3-pointer by the Patriots, Lumsden locked in a 3-pointer for the Rambelles; however, the Patriots once again scored a 3-pointer shortly after. Following a free throw by Stephens, the Patriots scored a 3-pointer, a layup and a free throw as their last points scored. The final minute saw three free throws by Stephens and two by Morrow to end the game with a 69-62 score.

With their victory against the UT Tyler Patriots, the Rambelles now have a 19-10 overall standing, with their next match on Thursday, Feb. 29, against the University of Texas Permian Basin Falcons in Odessa, Texas.