DALLAS – University of North Texas at Dallas women's basketball fell 83-66 to University of Science and Arts on Saturday at Ellis Davis Field House to begin the season. The Trailblazers were outscored each quarter, starting with a seven-point deficit after one. The gap grew to 16 at halftime, 50-34, and the double-digit margin was too much for UNTD to overcome.
The Dovers won their season opener to move to 1-0, while UNTD fell to 0-1. The Dovers shot 52.1 percent (25-48) from the field and 9-of-15 (60 percent) from three. They went 24-for-33 (72.7 percent) at the free throw line. Evangelia Davlakou scored a game-high 30 points and had eight rebounds and six steals to lead the way. Pashonnay Johnson chipped in 16 points and seven boards. USAO did win most categories, with a 48-32 advantage standing out on the glass.
De'Asia Johnson (Dallas, Texas) led the Trailblazers with a team-high 15 points and made three of the team's five trifectas. She added four rebounds and three steals.
Lauren Pete (Rockwall, Texas) notched a personal-high 14 points and was 5-for-7 at the free throw line. Pete also had a personal-best seven rebounds with three offensive rebounds. Her previous best was six last year at Nelson (1/25/25).
Channing Beauvais (Paradise, Texas) gave the Trailblazers three players in double-digits as she totaled 11 in her collegiate debut with a perfect 4-of-4 effort and one three-pointer.
Like last season's statistical profile, the Trailblazers did force a lot of miscues, as USAO committed 31 turnovers. The Trailblazers held an edge on steals, 12-10. Johnson and
ShanDrea Yeldell (Dallas, Texas) swiped three apiece and Pete and
Jade Myles (Dallas) added two each. UNT Dallas claimed a 25-21 edge on points off turnovers, which included a 9-2 run in the fourth quarter.
14 players made it into the game for UNTD, with 11 of them scoring at least two points. The Trailblazers were limited to shooting 30 percent (21-70) from the field and 15.2 percent (5-33) from three-point land. They went 19-for-31 at the free throw line.
At the break, the UNT Dallas Blazerettes performed their first halftime show of the year and expect to give a halftime show at most women's and men's basketball games this year. Many fans came to support the athletic teams today as the school's homecoming wrapped up. Prior to the games, there was a tailgate at campus. Earlier this week, the basketball teams were recognized for the start of their seasons with a pep rally.
UNT Dallas plays an exhibition game this week at NCAA Division I East Texas A&M University. Tip-off is at 2:30 p.m.
