THE LEAD >>>
WICHITA FALLS, Texas -- Sophomore guard Avalon Munoz of UT Permian Basin recorded the first triple-double in the Lone Star Conference in five years, as the Falcons soared past Midwestern State on Thursday night, 80-50. Munoz finished with 18 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists for UTPB, which swept the season series and earned its second-ever win at D.L. Ligon Coliseum in nine visits.
HOW IT HAPPENED >>>
Junior guard Holly Hemmeline started a 15-0 run in the first quarter by scoring her first of six 3-pointers for the Falcons with 4:34 remaining in the period. Hemmeline would hit another 3-pointer during the run as UTPB took a 25-9 lead and would hold a 14-point advantage after the first 10 minutes.
Munoz scored seven of her 18 points in the second quarter as UTPB extended its lead to 19 points. Munoz had 11 points and seven assists in the first half, propelling the Falcons to a 45-26 halftime lead.
Midwestern State was 9 of 24 from the floor in the first half and missed all six attempts from beyond the arc in the opening 20 minutes.
Dyamon Griggs (9) and
Mandy Withey (8) combined for 17 of the Mustangs' 26 first-half points.
Eternity Jackson hit the only 3-pointer on 15 attempts for the Mustangs. UTPB was 11 of 31 from 3-point range, led by Hemmeline, who was 6 of 14 from beyond the arc.
Munoz had four rebounds and two assists in the fourth quarter to complete the fourth triple-double in the history of UTPB women's basketball.
UTPB scored 30 points off 24 MSU turnovers and had 16 steals in the win. The Falcons out-rebounded Midwestern State, 45-40, and scored 24 second-chance points with their 26 offensive rebounds.
LEADERS >>>
- MSU freshman
Dyamon Griggs was the leading scorer for Midwestern State with 14 points, and she grabbed 11 rebounds. Griggs recorded her eighth double-double of the season.
- MSU senior
Shawnisay Millar was 5 of 7 from the floor and finished with 11 points and seven rebounds for the Mustangs.
- MSU senior
Mandy Withey finished with 10 points and 10 rebounds, recording her fourth double-double of the campaign.
- Hemmeline was the leading scorer for UTPB with 21 points on 7-of-15 shooting from the field, including 6-of-14 shooting from 3-point distance.
- Khiara Flugence was the leading rebounder for UTPB, grabbing 12 boards in 19 minutes of playing time.
GAME NOTES >>>
- De'Anira Moore of Angelo State had 15 points, 14 rebounds and 10 blocks to record the most recent triple-double in the LSC before the Munoz accomplishment on Thursday night. Moore also managed the feat at D.L. Ligon Coliseum as the Rambelles defeated MSU, 81-68, on Feb. 3, 2018.
- Munoz had 31 points, eight assists and five rebounds in her first encounter with MSU at UTPB Gym Complex in January, when the Falcons defeated the Mustangs, 80-70. - Midwestern State allowed at least 80 points for the third time in the last four games and for the 10th time this season.
- Midwestern State fell to 4-9 at home this season and has a five-game losing streak overall.
- The Mustangs slipped to 5-19 on the season and they are 3-15 in Lone Star Conference play.
- UTPB improved to 11-13 overall and 8-10 in conference action.
UP NEXT >>>
Midwestern State is home Saturday afternoon to face the Angelo State Rambelles at D.L Ligon Coliseum. Tipoff is scheduled for 1 p.m.
-- MSUMustangs.com --
