GEORGETOWN, Texas – The Southwestern University Pirates women's basketball team dominated defensively, defeating the University of Dallas Crusaders 70-38 to sweep both games this weekend.
Dallas opened the game showcasing the subtle improvements it has made under new head coach Bri Calver, holding the Pirates to just 35.7 percent shooting in the first quarter, staying within 12-10.
Southwestern locked in defensively in the second quarter, getting two steals and seven points from Zhazze Brown to outscore Dallas 19-3 and take a 31-13 lead into the break.
The Pirates were stifling in the half, recording six blocks with three from Reece Sandercock, two from Naomi Brown, and one from Taylor Carney.
Dallas adjusted to start the second half, getting nine points from point guard Panda Houseworth in the third quarter, shooting 2-for-2 from the floor and 4-for-6 from the free-throw line. Southwestern countered with brilliant execution of its own, assisting on five of its nine made baskets in the quarter with a flurry of high-low passes, shooting 64.3 percent to take a 53-32 lead into the fourth.
Noel Pratts helped the Pirates extend the lead early in the fourth, scoring two quick baskets and picking up a steal and a pair of free throws to score six of her 14 in the quarter. Defensively, the Pirates held Dallas to 3-for-17 in the closing 10 minutes, including 0-for-5 from deep, blocking five shots and picking up two steals.
For the game, the Pirates owned the paint, outscoring the Crusaders 38-10 in the paint, blocking 11 shots and outrebounding Dallas 35-27.
Woolfolk led all scorers with 23 points and 11 rebounds with four blocks, two steals, and two assists. Pratts had a team-high three of the Pirates' 12 steals to go with her 14 points. Brown finished with 13 points on 10 shots with three steals, two assists, and a block while Lauren Fulenwider had 11 points and four assists, hitting 3-for-4 from deep and 4-for-5 overall. Sandercock matched Woolfolk with four blocks.
For the game, the Pirates shot 27-for-56 (48.2 percent), including 4-for-10 from deep, assisting on 15 of their 27 baskets.
With the win, the Pirates improve to 5-11 on the season and 3-6 in conference play. Southwestern will travel next week to face Schreiner on Friday, Jan. 24 and Trinity on Saturday, Jan. 25.