TEXARKANA, TX---The Lady Mustang Basketball program kicked off their 2021 schedule Friday night in Texarkana, TX. Despite losing 81-55, Head Coach Devonte Brewer knows that the Lady Mustangs best basketball is ahead of them. "First game of the season and we played against a team who has played 10 games already. We did some uncharacteristic things like turning the ball over 26 times. Not a coincidence that we lost by 26, but we will get it right" said Brewer following the season opening loss. 

The Mustangs were led by senior guard Isabel Rodriguez who scored 19 points on 7-12 shooting from the floor. Rodriguez also added 7 rebounds and 3 assists, but had an uncharacteristic 8 turnovers in the game. "Isa played well but we know she can play better. 8 turnovers are very uncharacteristic for her. She attacked the basket and made her free throws. She only took 12 shots which isn't enough for us, but she will learn and grow from this game" from Brewer on his senior guard. 

On a night with only 10 active players, USW had to rely on their 5 true freshman to play valuable minutes. Abigail Olivas played 21 minutes and had 5 points, 5 rebounds and was 1-1 from the FT line. Beverly Bradley logged 22 minutes, scoring 6 points, grabbing 3 rebounds and shooting 2-4 from the FT line. Gigi Waddell and Morgan Kappenmen both scored their first career collegiate points. Coach Brewer is hoping that moving forward, these freshman got their jitters out and start playing like veterans. "Our freshman definitely played like freshman. It's new to them. Everyone is good at this level and you have to be willing to bring it. They showed flashes of great basketball, but will have to learn from tonight. They will soon get comfortable and continue to grow"

The Lady Mustangs are back in action tomorrow afternoon against Texas A&M-Texarkana tipping off at 1:00 PM MST. Coach Brewer is hoping to flush this loss and play like how he knows this group is capable of. "Our adjustments tomorrow will be to settle down and play to our speed. We want to move the ball and play for each other. We only had 7 assists tonight which is not what we are about. Tomorrow we will play together as a team and our defense will make the necessary adjustments and be more active" said Brewer on what adjustments the girls need to make tomorrow.