Jaguar Women Not Content With Win, Still Hungry

San Antonio, TX- Texas A&M University-San Antonio leaned on its bench and late-game poise Thursday night, holding off LSU Shreveport, 71-67, in a key conference matchup at home.

The Jaguars (20-7, 17-4) built an early cushion and withstood multiple second-half surges from LSU Shreveport (23-4, 19-2) to secure the four-point victory.

A&M-San Antonio came out firing, knocking down 7-of-9 shots in the first quarter (60 percent) and burying 5-of-7 from three-point range. The hot start fueled a 25-12 lead after one.

Kierra Sanderlin came off the bench with purpose and changed the tone of the game almost immediately. Sanderlin poured in a game-high 23 points on an efficient 9-of-10 shooting, including 2-of-3 from beyond the arc. She added three assists, four steals and a block in 29 high-energy minutes. Sanderlin scored 13 of her 23 in the first half and consistently created offense in transition and off turnovers.

Aniyah Lewis added 19 points on 6-of-15 shooting, connecting on 4-of-7 from deep and hitting 3-of-4 at the free throw line. She also grabbed six rebounds and recorded two assists and a block. TaMya Whitemon contributed 12 points, knocking down four three-pointers, while Evelyn Lorenzo chipped in eight points and a team-high six assists.

The Jaguars finished 11-of-26 (42.3 percent) from three-point range and converted 14-of-18 free throws (77.8 percent), a key factor down the stretch. A&M-San Antonio also forced 25 LSU Shreveport turnovers, turning defensive pressure into timely scoring opportunities.

LSU Shreveport battled back behind Ally Fleenor, who recorded 20 points and a dominant 15 rebounds, including nine on the offensive glass. Toni Coleman added 15 points, and Selma Markisic finished with 11.

After leading 40-32 at halftime, the Jaguars saw the Pilots trim the margin to 56-51 heading into the fourth quarter. LSU Shreveport eventually tied the game at 66-66 with just over three minutes remaining.

From there, A&M-San Antonio made the winning plays. Sanderlin hit a go-ahead jumper with 1:34 left to put the Jaguars up 68-66, and the Jaguars closed the game at the free throw line, with Lewis knocking down two clutch free throws in the final 22 seconds to seal it.

The Jaguars finished the night shooting 39 percent (23-of-59) from the field and outrebounded LSU Shreveport 33-49, but made up the difference with perimeter shooting and defensive pressure.

With the win, A&M-San Antonio continues to strengthen its position in conference play as the regular season winds down.