BAYAMÓN, Puerto Rico — Midwestern St. (4-5, 1-2 Lone Star) decisively defeated Sacred Heart (PR) (0-1), 116-26, at Coliseo Rubén Rodríguez, with a significant 62-15 rebounding advantage. The Mustangs capitalized on the Delfines' turnovers, scoring 32 points off 22 turnovers.
Midwestern St. opened the game with a dominant performance, quickly establishing control over Sacred Heart.
Kerbie Cash initiated the scoring with a layup just two seconds into the quarter, setting the tone for the visitors. MSU capitalized on turnovers, with
Veonce Powell and
Ta'Leeyah Glynn contributing to fast-break points, including a Glynn layup at the 6:05 mark. The visiting team extended their lead with a series of three-pointers, highlighted by
Alyssa Hutterer and
Briann Warehime. By the end of the first quarter, the Mustangs held a commanding 37-8 lead.
Midwestern State dominated the second quarter, extending their lead significantly with a 34-5 run.
Macie Upshaw contributed decisively, opening with a tip-in at 9:37 and adding a fast-break jumper at 3:05. Glynn was pivotal, recording a three-pointer at 8:54 and following up with a layup to push the lead to 44-8. Powell also added to the score with a jumper and a three-pointer, bringing the score to 51-11. The Delfines struggled offensively, with Mirelys Ramirez scoring their only field goal in the paint at 5:49. The quarter ended with the Maroon & Gold firmly ahead, 71-13.
The Mustangs controlled the third quarter against Sacred Heart, outscoring them 22-9. Cash provided a strong presence on the floor, scoring early with a jumper at 9:50 and following up with a tip-in at 9:26.
Calyssa Sevier extended the lead with a three-pointer at 6:01, contributing to a scoring run. Warehime added to the advantage with a layup at 1:54, assisted by
Raeleigh Villanueva, maintaining the visitors' control. The Delfines struggled offensively, managing only 2 field goals and turning the ball over five times. MSU capitalized on these opportunities, maintaining a solid defensive and offensive stance throughout the quarter.
Midwestern St. wrapped up the fourth quarter with a commanding performance, outscoring Sacred Heart 23-4.
Saylor Upshaw made a significant impact on the offensive boards, contributing multiple tip-ins, including one at 7:40 to extend the lead to 99-22. Sevier and Warehime each added key baskets, with Warehime sinking two free throws with 24 seconds to end the scoring at 116-26.
Glynn scored 16 points, connecting on 6 of her 10 field goal attempts, and recorded four steals. Warehime led the team with 19 points, making 7 of 10 shots from the field, including two from beyond the arc.
Macie Upshaw added 14 points and dominated the boards with 13 rebounds, including seven on the offensive end. Sevier contributed 16 points, hitting 4 of 5 from three-point range, and collected four steals.
Celian De Jesus led with efficiency, scoring 4 points on 100% shooting from the field and adding 2 free throws. Wigdalimarie Cordova matched De Jesus in scoring, also contributing 4 points, complemented by 2 defensive rebounds. Darielis Morales provided a spark off the bench, scoring 4 points on 2-of-3 shooting while collecting 2 rebounds. Kiary Cosme added 3 points and 3 rebounds, showcasing her presence on the boards. Linoska Ortega, starting the game, tallied 3 points and dished out 1 assist.
The Mustangs ticked off several top-10 marks in program history, including setting a school record for made field goals with 46. The pervious school record was set in 1987, when MSU finished with 44 made field goals against Lubbock Christian on Jan. 9, 1987. The teams 116 points is the third most in school history and the most since the Mustangs scored 118 points against Dallas Christian in 2018. Midwestern State's 62 rebounds is the most since 1999, standing in a tie for 4th most in a single game.
Looking ahead, the Mustangs return to conference play as they will face off against St. Mary's on Friday, Jan. 2. The game is set to tip off at 5:30 p.m. at Bill Greehey Arena in San Antonio, Texas.
