AUSTIN, Texas  Down by double-digits during the opening quarter, Western Colorado women's basketball began its comeback in the next frame before overtaking Texas A&M International in the third quarter in a 68-61 non-conference win Monday at the Thanksgiving Tournament hosted by St. Edward's University.

JUST THE FACTS
Final score: Western def. TAMIU, 68-61
Records: Western 2-1, TAMIU 0-3
Location: Recreation and Convocation Center, Austin, Texas

HOW IT HAPPENED

• International pushed out to a 23-11 lead nearing the end of the first quarter, but Western began its comeback from that point, actually taking the lead (24-23) midway through the second quarter on an Ivey Schmidt put-back following a missed 3-pointer.
• The Dustdevils steeled themselves against the Mountaineers' rally, though, wresting back the advantage to take a 34-29 lead into the halftime break.
• A pair of TAMIU free throws grew the lead to seven in the opening minute of the third, but a driving layup from Jayda Maves ignited an 18-7 finish to the quarter by Western, which entered the final frame leading 49-43.
• During that finishing run the Mountaineers got points from five different players, led by seven from Schmidt.
• International wasn't finished, however, shifting momentum back toward their bench to move in front 54-51 with under seven minutes to play.
• Once more, Western embarked on a rally to chase away the deficit. Alyssa Eckroth pushed in a layup, followed by a Maves 3-pointer after a Dustdevils turnover.
• International tied it with a bucket of their own only to watch Maves drain another trey on Western's next possession for a lead it wouldn't relinquish the rest of the way.

HARDWOOD NOTES

• Western turned the tide of the game during a 14-0 run that spanned 5:28 over the end of the first and the beginning of the second quarters.
• During the Mountaineers' 20-9 third quarter, they shot 50 percent from the floor while hitting 2-of-5 3-pointers, and limited the Dustdevils to 15% including 0-for-3 from behind the arc.
• Western got back to its strength on the boards, outrebounding International, 41-30, .ed by Penelope Urquhart's game- and career-high 13 rebounds.
• Three Mountaineers reached double digits in scoring, with Schmidt pouring in 23, Maves adding 13 and Eckroth scoring 12 points during the win.
• Western was able to overcome 20 turnovers and the 25 points TAMIU scored off those miscues.

UP NEXT
The Mountaineers will take on the host Hilltoppers of St. Edward's on Tuesday afternoon at 4:30 p.m. MT in the final game of the Thanksgiving Tournament.