-
Western Texas College’s Esther Udonsi dribbles downcourt against Howard College. Udonsi made a game-winning shot with four seconds left to give WTC a 56-55 win.
Esther Udonsi made a jumper with four seconds left, giving Western Texas College a 56-55 win over Howard College in a Western Junior College Athletic Conference basketball game at The Coliseum Thursday.
Udonsi’s shot answered Ashlyn Hoover’s field goal, which gave Howard College a one-point lead with eight seconds to play.
“I almost overacted and called a timeout, but decided to let Esther go,” WTC head coach Darryl Davis said. “I told the players before Howard took the lead that we needed to make a play. We played good defense with 14 steals and also did a good job of rebounding.”
The Lady Westerners led 15-10 after the first quarter and increased the lead to 34-23 by halftime. WTC’s lead was cut to five points midway through third quarter. However, WTC was able to build a 45-36 lead after three quarters.
Udonsi, who made 9-of-18 field goals and five free throws, led WTC with a game-high 24 points. Catara Samuel added eight points.
DeAuja Thompson scored 16 points for Howard College while Hoover added 11 points.
“I thought early in conference play if this would happen, we might have gotten down,” Davis said. “We didn’t and were locked in to make big plays and came back to win.”
Davis said the team needs to focus on winning one game at a time and not the bigger picture of qualifying for the regional tournament.
“We need to take care of us and then see what happens,” Davis said. “It was a good team win with a lot of players contributing.”
WTC will return to action Thursday by hosting Midland College.
Howard College scorers — DeAuja Thompson 16, Ashlyn Hoover 11, Camille Hoover 9, Aubrie Elliott 7, Audrey Sutterfield 6, Taylor Allison 4.
WTC scorers — Esther Udonsi 24, Catara Samuel 8, Jauslynn Shephard 6, Kyra Lewis 6, Allison Valdez 5, Mayra Garcia 4, Raquel Horta 2, McKenna Spikes 1.
WTC statistics — Jauslynn Shephard 6 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals; Catara Samuel 2 rebounds, 2 steals; Kyra Lewis 5 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals; Esther Udonsi 5 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal, 1 block; Mayra Garcia 5 rebounds, 2 steals; Allison Valdez 5 rebounds, 3 assists, 4 steals; Raquel Horta 1 rebound; Payton Berger 4 rebounds, 1 steal; Yaritza Rivas 3 rebounds; McKenna Spikes 8 rebounds, 1 block.