The Saluki women’s basketball team hosted the University of North Texas at home for a Sunday afternoon matchup.

After losing to Purdue Fort Wayne 70-64 in overtime Wednesday, the Salukis were looking to get back on track against UNT. Ultimately, Southern fell by the same margin, dropping to 1-3 on the season with a 79-73 loss to North Texas.

The Dawgs came out with a slow start in the first quarter, UNT outscoring them 16-11. Laniah Randle scored the first points of the game with a made jumper at 9:34. 

Southern gained their momentum in the second quarter outscoring UNT 24-13 thanks to a combination of made layups and jumpers by their leading scorers, leaving them up before the half with a score of 35-29. 

Momentum was lost in the third quarter for the Dawgs when UNT went on a 5-0 run in the first two minutes. Seairra Hughes ended the streak for the Mean Green with a made layup before they went on another 5-point run. 

Going point-for-point in the fourth quarter, the Dawgs outscored UNT 28-27. But that would not be enough, as North Texas would maintain its lead through the final buzzer.

Randle led the Salukis with 17 points and nine rebounds. Seairra Hughes followed closely with 15 points and eight rebounds, and Quierra Love and Tyranny Brown each finished with 13 points. 

The Salukis will play in the San Juan Shootout in San Juan, Puerto Rico, where they will take on the Charlotte 49ers at 9 a.m. on Thanksgiving Day, followed by George Washington on Friday at 11:30 a.m. and West Virginia on Saturday at 9 a.m.

Reporter Joei Younker can be reached at [email protected]. 

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