By: Rev. Justin C. Jackson
February 6th, 2024
New Orleans, Louisiana
The Lady Stallions embarked on a journey to the vibrant Crescent City, affectionately known as the Big Easy to some and N'awlins to most Houstonians and HBCU enthusiasts. Their destination? A showdown against the formidable Xavier University, currently holding the 3rd place in the standings. With determination etched on their faces, NAU stepped onto the court, fully aware of the challenge that lay ahead. However, as they soon discovered, nothing in The Big Easy comes without its trials.
Xavier University came out of the gates blazing, dominating the first quarter with a commanding 21 to 11 lead. Demonstrating remarkable teamwork with 18 assists and asserting their dominance on the boards with a staggering 46 rebounds, XULA seemed to be in complete control. While Tatjana Tatar led the charge in points with an impressive 11, the depth of Xavier's roster allowed every bench player a chance to shine, albeit at the expense of individual scoring opportunities, with only 4 out of 17 players failing to contribute points. Notably, Taylor Dewitt, a prominent figure in conference statistics, was limited to just 9 points and 8 rebounds, courtesy of the relentless defense by NAU's Keiarra Rivers.
Speaking of Rivers, despite being held to 9 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, and a steal, her battle against Dewitt exemplified a clash of titans, with both superstars effectively neutralizing each other. On the NAU side, Victoria Moore emerged as a force to be reckoned with, notching an impressive 20 points along with 3 steals. Elisa Peralta contributed 12 points and 7 rebounds, while freshman Kayla Dickey showcased her talent with 12 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 assists. Taylor Brokenberry continued to make strides for NAU, chipping in with 7 points and 7 rebounds.
Despite a challenging night for the Lady Stallions in N'awlins, their Louisiana Tour must press on. Fans are encouraged to tune in to the LSUA YouTube page for their next matchup against Louisiana State University Alexandria. As the team motto goes, #Buckem, #HoovesUp, and Goooooooooooo Stallionsssssssss!
