The St. Mary’s University Lady Rattlers got their first victory of the season over the weekend, defeating Ferris State University, 83-80. Sophomore center Flavia Azinheira stole the show, scoring a career-high 36 points and grabbing a career-high 13 rebounds Saturday night in the Holiday Inn Emerald Beach Turkey Shootout on the campus of Texas A&M-Kingsville.

Azinheira, a native of Mozambique, Africa, and a first-year Lady Rattler, has practically been unstoppable during the early portions of the 2005-06 season. Azinheira is averaging 18.2 points, and has seen her scoring total improve every game. The sophomore scored six in the season opener, followed by scoring totals of eight, 14, 27 and now 36 points.

The Rattlers (1-4) also enjoyed a terrific performance against Ferris State by junior guard Dawn Killian, who is starting to catch fire from three-point land. Killian shot 3-for-4 from beyond the arc, totaling 14 points in St. Mary’s victory.

St. Mary’s, like always, excelled from the free throw line, connecting on 87.1 percent of its shots (27-of-31). Azinheira led the charge from the charity stripe, connecting on all 14 of her attempts.

The Rattlers play again on Tues., Nov. 29, at Texas A&M-International.

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