Huston-Tillotson Holds Off Paul Quinn for 77-68 Win in Hard-Fought Matchup

First Half: Huston-Tillotson Battles Through Shooting Struggles

Both teams struggled to find rhythm early in the game, with Huston-Tillotson shooting just 18.8% from the field in the first quarter, allowing Paul Quinn to edge ahead 12-9. However, Huston-Tillotson rebounded in the second quarter, improving to 46.2% shooting and putting up 22 points. Despite their shooting improvement, they trailed at halftime, as Paul Quinn held onto a narrow 26-22 lead going into the break.

Second Half: Huston-Tillotson Finds Their Groove

The third quarter saw Huston-Tillotson hitting their stride, led by standout performances from Danielle Porter and Wilashia Burleson. Porter had a dominant presence in the paint, racking up 14 points and 12 rebounds, including seven on the offensive end. Burleson also contributed 15 points and eight rebounds, helping Huston-Tillotson pull ahead as they outscored Paul Quinn 26-20 in the third quarter.

Paul Quinn's Canai McPherson fought back valiantly, leading all scorers with 24 points, including 10-of-11 shooting from the free-throw line. Despite her strong performance, Paul Quinn struggled to overcome Huston-Tillotson's scoring surge and defensive pressure.

Final Push and Key Stats

Huston-Tillotson continued to build on their lead in the fourth quarter, with steady free-throw shooting securing the win. The team finished at 64.5% from the line, while Paul Quinn shot 80% from the stripe. However, Huston-Tillotson's advantage on the boards proved pivotal, particularly with 18 offensive rebounds leading to second-chance points.

Aliyah Carter also contributed significantly to Huston-Tillotson, recording 10 points and five assists and showing poise despite Paul Quinn's defensive efforts. Meanwhile, Paul Quinn's Cierra Taylor provided 14 points and six rebounds off the bench, making valuable contributions to the team's offense.

Key Takeaways

• Rebounding Advantage: Huston-Tillotson out-rebounded Paul Quinn 45-25, capitalizing on second-chance opportunities with 18 points from offensive boards.
• Balanced Scoring: Huston-Tillotson had four players scoring in double digits, showcasing their depth and balanced offensive attack.
• Turnovers: Paul Quinn struggled with turnovers, committing 21 compared to Huston-Tillotson's 20, scoring 16 points off turnovers.

Ultimately, Huston-Tillotson's balanced scoring and tenacity on the glass secured their first conference win. Despite a solid performance from McPherson and Taylor, Paul Quinn couldn't overcome Huston-Tillotson's strong third quarter and rebounding dominance.

Huston-Tillotson will carry their momentum into the next game, while Paul Quinn aims to regroup and improve on both ends of the floor.