This past week, the University of Dallas women’s basketball team travelled to California for three games.
The Crusader’s started the stretch on Wednesday, Nov. 21 against California Institute of Technology. The Crusaders fell to the Beavers 68-49. Freshman Faith Starnes led the team with her second straight double-game, scoring 15 points and chipping in 5 rebounds. The Crusaders were out-rebounded 41-38, but they led in offensive rebounds 16-12.
“Faith is getting a lot experience as a freshman and has capitalized on her minutes,” said Head Coach Lacey Burns.
On Friday, Nov. 23, Dallas played Claremont-Mudd-Scripps College (CA) in the David Wells Classic. The Crusaders lost to the Athenas 58-24. Sophomore Vanessa Diaz just missed earning her second double of this season, as she scored 9 points and garnered 8 rebounds.
The final game of UD’s California road trip was on Saturday, Nov. 24 against Pomona-Pitzer College. The Crusaders lost to the Sagehens 66-37. Dallas led in both total rebounds, by 42-36, and offensive rebounds, 20-10, for the game. This is the third time this season the Crusaders have led in offensive rebounding. Diaz led all scorers with 13 points and added 8 rebounds, with Starnes contributing 9 points and 5 rebounds of her own.
“[This] trip was a test of what we are made of and how we respond to the highs and lows,” Burns said. “Despite the outcome of the competitions, our players and coaches learned a lot about each other on and off the court. We are focused on controlling what we can control: effort, behavior, attitude and positivity.”
With the three losses, the Crusader’s season record falls to 0-4 with no conference games played yet. The Crusaders come back home on Wednesday, Nov. 28 to play Dallas Christian College, and then play again on Saturday, Dec. 1 against Millsaps College (MS). Game times are 5:30 p.m. on both days.
