Eagles fall in second-round NAIA game, 63-46
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — In just its fourth season, the Texas A&MTexarkana women’s basketball reached amazing new heights in the 2022-23 campaign.
A trip to Sioux City, Iowa, however, just wasn’t in the cards.
The Eagles (29-2) had their season come to an end Wednesday in the NAIA second round, falling to traditional power Marian (Indiana), 63-46, at the PE Center on the Marion campus. The Knights (285), ranked eighth nationally, advance to the Sweet 16.
For the Eagles, it was a banner year in more ways than one. They won their first conference title, their first conference tournament, earned their first berth to the NAIA national tournament and first national tournament victory. They went undefeated at home, won 26 straight games, and ranked in the Top 5 nationally in offensive efficiency.
On this night, Marian was a little more fundamentally sound, and a bit more experienced in big games.
Marian used a technically proficient effort in the first half to keep the Eagles at bay, shooting 60 percent (15-of-25) from the floor and holding a 19-12 edge on the glass. The Knights led by 11 at the break despite 10 turnovers, largely in part to their shooting combined with the Eagles’ inability to hit shots on their end. TAMU-T made just 31 percent (9-of-29) in the half.
After trailing by seven at the end of the opening frame (19-12), the Eagles were able to get no closer than that number in the second. Vasha Moore led the way with 11 points and five board in the first 20 minutes while the rest of the starting lineup combined to shoot just 5-of-19 from the floor. Meanwhile, Marian got a boost from high percentage shots, scoring 26 of their 36 first-half points in the paint.
The Knights stretched their lead even further, outscoring the Eagles 16-6 in the third, and led by as many as 23 midway into the fourth period. The Eagles never led in the contest.
Vasha Moore scored a teamhigh 13 points and grabbed six rebounds, and Ashlei Lopez had 12 points. The Eagles ended the game shooting just 33 percent (17-of-51) and were beaten on the glass by a 39-23 margin.