by ODESSA, Texas – The Aggie women’s basketball team improved to 2-0 within the Lone Star Conference and 3-5 overall behind 20-point outings from Ava Battese (Comanche/PBPN) and Maighan Hedge and a near triple-double effort from Stephanie Peterson.
Cameron entered Saturday’s contest on the heels of their first league win last Saturday against Western New Mexico. The Aggies capitalized on their veteran leadership against the tough Falcons, with the senior Battese and sophomore Hedge leading the way offensively.
In the first quarter, the CU jumpstarted their offense, racing out to 18 points in the first frame behind Hedge’s seven points. The Melbourne, Australia native finished the game with 23 points, five rebounds, and two assists. Despite putting an 18-spot on the board, the Black and Gold led by just three at the end of one.
Cameron got big contributions from the freshman Peterson in the second frame. The young forward from Broomfield, Colo. piled in nine points before the half after getting her second career start. Peterson finished with 11 points, 14 rebounds, six assists, and two blocks. She was one of three Aggies to reach double figures on Saturday, and almost earned her first double-double of her CU career.
The Black and Gold earned slight separation in the second 10 minutes of action and went up 40-33 at halftime. UTPB never went away and battled while CU clung to a 59-54 lead through three quarters.
After holding off the Falcons the whole game, the Aggies put the game on ice, seeing their lead grow to as many as 11 with two minutes to play thanks to some clutch three-point shooting from the Elgin, Okla. native Battese.
Cameron won the battle on the glass in convincing fashion, winning the rebounding edge 49-36, one of the best efforts the Aggies have seen on the boards this season. From deep CU was on fire stroking the three-point shot at a 44 percent rate and finishing just one triple shy of the program single-game record, with15 treys in this contest.
Battese led the way from long distance, as the all-time leader in three-pointers made at Cameron drained seven more Saturday at a 50 percent clip, finishing one three shy of her own CU record of eight treys made in a game. She poured in 29 points to go along with three steals and five rebounds.
The Aggie defense shined, limiting the Falcons to 36 percent shooting from the field, and 31 percent from deep. They forced 16 turnovers, nine on steals, and swatted four shots on the defensive end of the floor.
