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EDINBURG – The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) women's basketball team won its program record-tying fifth-straight game, 68-52 over Texas Lutheran University (TLU) to close out non-conference play on Monday at the UTRGV Fieldhouse.
 
This is the fourth time in program history that UTRGV (10-6) has won five in a row during the same season, having previously done so in 2015-16, 1991-92 and 1984-85.
 
UTRGV is now off to the best 16-game start in program history, remaining one game ahead of last year's record-setting pace that saw the team finish with a program record .576 (19-14) winning percentage.
 
Freshman Bernesha Peters led UTRGV with 20 points on 7-of-18 shooting, including 5-of-11 from behind the arc, three assists and four steals. Senior Mary Savoy posted her third double-double of the season with 16 points, a game-high 13 rebounds (nine offensive), five blocks and five steals. It was Savoy's third-straight game of at least five steals.
 
Savnnah Hight led TLU with 17 points on 8-of-12 shooting.
 
UTRGV had the lead early, going up 4-1 on a pair of free throws by sophomore Nichele Hyman and 7-5 on a Peters three, but a Cierra Jordan three sparked a 16-4 run to give TLU a 21-11 lead with 30 seconds left in the first quarter.
 
Sophomore Idil Türk hit a pair of free throws to close the quarter, then after Savoy started the second quarter with a layup, Hyman hit a three and Peters hit back-to-back threes to power a 16-0 run to put UTRGV up 27-21.
 
TLU scored six of the next eight points to pull within 29-27 on a Hight layup before a Peters free throw, a layup by senior Lile Havili and a Peters jumper gave UTRGV a 34-27 halftime lead.
 
UTRGV extended its lead to 37-29 on a three by junior Hildur Björg Kjartansdóttir, but TLU answered with a 13-2 run to take a 42-39 lead on a Tara Molina three.
 
TLU still led by three at 46-43 with 8:59 remaining, but Savoy hit a free throw and a layup to tie the game before a Peters layup gave UTRGV the lead for good. Both baskets were part of a 17-3 run to put UTRGV up 60-48 with 3:51 remaining.
 
UTRGV is back in action on Thursday at 7 p.m. when it opens up out Western Athletic Conference play against Chicago State in a game that will be televised regionally on Spectrum Sports channel 323. The first 200 fans in attendance will receive free UTRGV basketball t-shirts. Doors open at 6.

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