Women's Basketball Dominates Second Half to Defeat Dallas 66-59

IRVING, Texas -- After trailing by seven entering halftime, an impressive second half display that saw the Bulldogs outscore the Crusaders 41-27 while shooting 48.1 percent from the field helped the Bulldogs obtain a 66-59 comeback victory Saturday night.

Kailee Mulkey (New Braunfels/New Braunfels) led the Bulldogs with 16 points, five rebounds, and matched her career-high with five steals as Texas Lutheran improved to 17-5 (10-3 SCAC) on the season. The 17 wins are the most wins in a season since Troy Patterson took over the program in 2021, surpassing his first season win total of 16.

Trailing by as many as 14 points midway in the second quarter, Texas Lutheran clawed its way back in a crucial conference matchup that saw the Bulldogs struggle early offensively.

Mulkey would be one of four Bulldogs to finish in double figures. Davi'Yanna Jones (San Antonio/Stevens) matched her career-high with 14 points and seven rebounds off the bench, with 12 points coming in the second half. Kayla Presley (Kyle/San Marcos) added 14 points, four rebounds, and four assists while Lauren Sansano (San Antonio/FEAST) tallied ten points and four rebounds. As a team, Texas Lutheran forced 19 turnovers.

Tanyse Moehrig (Spring Branch/Smithson Valley) would score four of her six points in the opening period as TLU struggled early - shooting a mere 22-percent from the field to trail 18-10 after one.

In an unfamiliar situation for the season, TLU would trail for the entire first half - entering the locker room with a 32-25 deficit.

The Bulldogs offense came alive in the third quarter, outscoring the Crusaders 21-12 in the period while shooting 50-percent from the field and forcing eight turnovers defensively. Kayla Presley would lead the Bulldogs through the third, scoring seven of her 14 points in the quarter.

Texas Lutheran would take a 46-44 lead into the fourth and lead by as many as nine points as they would never relinquish the lead again Saturday night.

TLU returns to Seguin to close the 2024 regular season with a three-game homestand, starting with a Friday night matchup with Centenary. Tip-off is set for 7:30 PM at Memorial Gymnasium. The game will be streamed on TLU+. All streaming and live stats links will be available on tlubulldogs.com.

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