Belle basketball in the zone

Photo by Brit Raley
Kynese Davis, junior guard, maneuvers through the UTPB defense. Davis hit a career high with 13 points.

The Belles Basketball team won its game over the UT - Permian Basin Falcons with a score of 86-57 on Saturday, putting them on a two-game winning streak.

The team now has an overall record of 10-4 and is 5-3 in the Lone Star Conference.

Four Belles scored double digits in the game. Senior guard Keanna Kelly had 19, and junior guards Dezirae Hampton and Kynese Davis had 17 and 13 respectively. Senior guard Marquita Daniels had 12 points and seven assists.

Over the holiday break the Belles received four wins over St. Edward’s University, University of Illinois Springfield, Texas A&M International and West Texas A&M University. They also lost two games against Tarleton State and Texas A&M – Commerce.

"It was a huge week for us, not just to play the No. 2 team in the country but then to play UTPB, they’re just good at what they do," Head Coach Renae Shippy said. "It was a scary week, but our kids have the right focus."

Shippy said they were playing against a different zone defense, so they just talked about where to place the ball.

"Our kids, not only did they place the ball, but they just flat out made plays," Shippy said. "They were just players, and they had fun doing it."

The team had 44 in-paint points during the night, and Shippy said she was very impressed with her team.

"I was just extremely impressed, especially against zone because that’s where they want you to shoot threes," Shippy said.

Shippy said they were making excellent reads, executing and then making the plays that they needed to make.

Shippy said Hampton has been a phenomenal player for them all year long.

"She’s just one of those kids that doesn’t make a lot of mistakes," Shippy said. "She’s excellent on defense, and she can just knock out shots as well."

Shippy said she’s really proud of Hampton and really happy for her to have a great game.

"Another kid I’m really proud of is Kynese Davis, to be able to come off of the bench and perform the way that she did, that’s something she can do every night and we expect her to," Shippy said.

Shippy said she’s hoping the confidence Davis gained in that game will build in games to come.

"Another kid, Keanna Kelly, this was a huge week for her," Shippy said. "She’s coming off the bench and to play as well as she did against WT and then to come back and play that well against UTPB, it was everything for our team."

Shippy said they made big, big plays during the game and did a good job of executing and knocking down their shots.

Shippy said they improved on the areas they needed to improve on.

"Two wins were the result, so I’m very proud of them and their effort," Shippy said.

Hampton said she is proud of her team and the work they have been doing.

"This is good momentum going on the road, we definitely needed it," Hampton said.

The Belles will be playing Western New Mexico University on Jan.18 and then Eastern New Mexico University on Jan. 20, both on the road games.