January 27, 2012
San Antonio – Kathryn Galindo fills a variety of roles for the Lady Rattlers, capable of generating a quick laugh in practice with her bubbly personality as she is at backing down a defender with her 6-foot-2 frame.
But on Thursday, Galindo – or the “Big O,” as her teammates know her – needed just a single word to describe her impact in a 73-59 thrashing of Heartland Conference foe Texas A&M International: sparkplug.
Galindo (So., San Antonio) recorded a career-high-tying 10 points – all in the first half when the Lady Rattlers were struggling to get going – and added nine rebounds and two blocks off the bench in one of her most complete performances as a Lady Rattler.
“I know that my role for being on the bench is to be that spark for everyone, to get everyone on the go,” said Galindo, whose Rattlers were led in scoring by Jackie Edwards’ (So., San Antonio) 23 points. “I’m glad certain people stepped up. We all just really clicked and gave it our all to get a good victory tonight.”
RE-WATCH THE LADY RATTLERS’ WIN!
DeAnna Patterson (Sr., Converse, Texas) was equally important in a starting role, flashing her brilliant shooting stroke with 12 points to go along with a season-high 11 boards. Patterson shot 5 for 10 from the floor, while going 2 for 5 from 3-point range. Freshman post Morgan Pullins (Franklin, Mich.) also scored 12.
St. Mary’s (9-13 overall) improved to 4-2 in Heartland Conference play, leaving them in a three-way tie for second place in the conference with Texas-Permian Basin and Arkansas-Fort Smith.
“We just click a lot better now,” said Galindo of the team’s emotional and mental growth. “We trust each other fully with everything – defense, offense. We just fully trust each other. That’s the main thing for any team to win.”
The Lady Rattlers and Dustdevils both struggled early Thursday, with neither team cracking past the two-point mark until more than five minutes into the game. St. Mary’s even trailed by four early, but the deficit was short-lived.
With the game tied at 17-17 with nearly eight minutes left in the half, the Lady Rattlers went on an 18-2 run to lead 35-19 at the break.
Galindo had six points, three boards and a block during the stretch, cementing the big performance from the “Big O.”
St. Mary’s will return to action next Thursday, when it hosts UTPB at 5:30 p.m. at Bill Greehey Arena.