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EDINBURG – The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) Vaqueros women's basketball team improved to 9-7, the best 16-game start in program history, by winning its Western Athletic Conference (WAC) opener 52-28 over the Grand Canyon University Antelopes on Thursday at the UTRGV Fieldhouse.
 
The 28 points scored by the Antelopes (8-9, 0-1 WAC) are the second fewest points ever allowed by the Vaqueros (9-7, 1-0 WAC) and the fewest since March 3, 2012, when they held Houston Baptist to 14 points.
 
Freshman Bernesha Peters led the Vaqueros with a career-high 19 points on a career-best 6-of-9 shooting, including 3-of-5 shooting from behind the arc. Junior Anushka Maldonado posted her second double-double with a career-high tying 14 points, 11 rebounds and a career-high tying three steals.
 
Dana Jones led the Antelopes with eight points, nine rebounds and two blocks.
 
Peters hit a jumper, a three-pointer and a free throw and the Vaqueros held the 'Lopes to 0-for-12 shooting over the first six minutes to build an 11-0 lead. Then, with the score 13-4, Peters hit a three and three free throws as the Vaqueros scored 12-straight points as part of a 21-3 run to take their largest lead of the half at 34-7 midway through the second quarter.
 
This included taking a 25-4 lead at the end of the first quarter after hitting 7-of-14 shots, including 2-of-4 from behind the arc, plus 9-of-12 from the line, while holding the 'Lopes to 2-of-22 shooting, including 0-of-5 from behind the arc and no free throw attempts.
 
It was the second time the Vaqueros have held an opponent to four points in a quarter after doing so in the fourth quarter against Texas Lutheran on Nov. 18. The Vaqueros held the 'Lopes to 12 points in the first half, the fewest points by an opponent in a half since holding Concordia to seven points in the first half on Nov. 20, 2014.
 
The Vaqueros took their largest lead when Maldonado made a layup and a three-pointer to push the lead to 50-20 early in the fourth quarter. Maldonado made another jumper a minute and a half later to make it 52-22.
 
The Vaqueros are back in action on Saturday at 7 p.m. when they host Utah Valley at the UTRGV Fieldhouse in a game that will be televised lived throughout the state of Texas on Time Warner Cable SportsChannel (323). UTRGV Athletics is teaming up with Tim's Coats to collect coats for those in need throughout the Rio Grande Valley. Anyone donating a useable coat will receive free admission. Current UTRGV students, who already receive free admission, will receive a free concession stand item. Doors open at 6.

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