LAWTON, Okla. – Alexis Williams returned from injury and off no practice to lead the Aggie women’s basketball team (4-5) to a 67-51 victory over the visiting Mustangs of Midwestern State (2-5) on Monday night in Aggie Gym.

Williams, who was held out of the previous game against Bacone, was cleared to play just before game time and had not practiced that week. However, that did not stop Head Coach Tom Webb from feeding her the ball as she had the hot hands all night. Williams was 7-of-13 (54-percent) and 5-of-7 from the line. The Aggie sophomore also pulled down five rebounds.

But as well as the Aggie women shot from the floor, the story of the night was the defense. Webb’s team kept the pressure on throughout the night, holding the Mustangs to just 12 points in the first half.

“When we put in our game plan, we knew we had to make them try to beat us from the outside,” said Webb. “The coaching staff felt we had a great opportunity to win if we kept the pressure on and forced outside shots.”

And if that was the name of the game, it worked to perfection.

The Aggie women kept the Mustangs scoreless from behind-the-arc in the first half (0-for-6) and conceded only three for the game (3-for-15). It was not until late in the second before the Mustangs were able to get their second basket in from long range.

Sabelle Diata had yet another strong performance after she got into early foul trouble. The Dakar, Senegal native played only four minutes in the first half but came back strong after the break to post 12 total points and eight rebounds. She also added three more blocks. For the season, Diata has 24 of the team’s 27 blocks and is emerging as a dynamic playmaker on both sides of the ball.

“She really has come on as of late on the defensive side of the ball,” said Webb. “It’s refreshing to see from her because she has so much potential that has yet to be tapped. We’re excited to see [Diata] and the team grow as a unit.”

The Aggie women now turn their focus to a pair of LSC road trips to Texas. They take on Incarnate Word on Dec. 18 and Texas A&M-Kingsville on Dec. 20 before heading off to enjoy their Christmas break.