Paul Quinn Edges Out Texas A&M Texarkana in a Thrilling Contest
Dallas, TX – January 23, 2025 – The Paul Quinn Tigers secured a hard-fought 81-76 victory over the Texas A&M Texarkana Eagles in a closely contested matchup at Paul Quinn College. The Tigers, now 4-15 on the season, overcame their opponents with sharp perimeter shooting and solid free-throw performance.
First Half: A Tight Battle
The game began with both teams trading baskets early. Texas A&M Texarkana (12-7) struggled with their three-point shooting in the first half, connecting on 18.8% from beyond the arc. However, they made up for it by dominating the paint, scoring 28 points inside. Paul Quinn countered with impressive outside shooting, making 50% of their three-pointers before halftime.
John Harrison and Norris Williams led the charge for Paul Quinn, scoring 21 points in the game. Harrison displayed efficiency, hitting 7-of-10 from the field and 3-of-4 from deep, while Williams provided a spark from beyond the arc, knocking down five three-pointers. Their performances helped the Tigers enter halftime with a narrow 39-37 lead.
Second Half: Paul Quinn Maintains the Edge
The second half saw Paul Quinn maintain their advantage despite an improved shooting effort from the Eagles. Texas A&M Texarkana increased their three-point percentage significantly, making 57.1% of their attempts after halftime. Deovaunta Williams led the Eagles with 12 points, while Rodney Mason II and Daryl Houston contributed 11 points each.
Despite their resurgence, the Eagles struggled to capitalize on second-chance opportunities, and their inability to match Paul Quinn's three-point efficiency proved costly. The Tigers finished the game shooting 48.0% from beyond the arc compared to Texas A&M Texarkana's 30.4%.
Key Performances and Team Statistics
- Paul Quinn: John Harrison (21 pts, 9 rebs), Norris Williams (21 pts, 5 3ast), Richard Lemboye (12 pts, 6-6 FT)
- Texas A&M Texarkana: Deovaunta Williams (12 pts, 5 rebs), Rodney Mason II (11 pts, 3 ast), Daryl Houston (11 pts, 9 reb)
Texas A&M Texarkana held the edge in rebounding, grabbing 34 total boards compared to Paul Quinn's 28. However, Paul Quinn's superior three-point shooting and solid free-throw performance (73.5%) proved to be the difference-maker.
Final Thoughts
This victory marks a significant morale boost for Paul Quinn as they look to build momentum for the remainder of the season. Despite the loss, Texas A&M Texarkana remains competitive in their conference and will look to bounce back in their next matchup.
With both teams displaying resilience and skill, this game showcased the intensity and excitement of college basketball. Paul Quinn will look to carry this momentum forward, while Texas A&M Texarkana aims to fine-tune their game for future contests.