by ARLINGTON – A heart-breaking jumper to beat the buzzer saw Arkansas top UT Arlington 66-65 on Wednesday night at College Park Center.
The Lady Mavericks (1-1) had a chance at the free-throw line to go up by three, but after both rimmed out, the Razorbacks (2-0) advanced the ball out of a time out, and saw Alexis Tolefree get a friendly bounce on a mid-range jumper as time expired. The dagger spoiled the hard-fought efforts of the Lady Mavs that included a career-high 21 points from Lauren Billie (Creek/Seminole), a spectacular effort by Cierra Johnson with 22 points, and a remarkable stat line by freshman Katie Ferrell of 10 boards, seven points, four steals, four blocks and six assists. Ferrell has dished 13 assists in two games as a Lady Maverick.
UTA had its opportunities with two possessions with under 47 seconds. Billie’s 3-point attempt bounced out with 14 ticks on the clock, while Johnson’s block at one end didn’t equate to the all-important points with five seconds on the clock.
Taking positives after the game, UTA coach Krista Gerlich said that her players left it all on the court and have a lot to take from the effort.
“Arkansas knows that they were in for a fight tonight and I could not be more proud of our team and how they battled and did not give in and gave themselves a chance to win,” Gerlich said. “That is what I am most proud about, they left it all out on the floor. That is all we can ask from them and they did a great job in doing that.”
The Lady Mavs will get a brief break before they return to the court to end a three-game homestand to open the season. UTA hosts Grambling State on Tuesday night at 7 p.m. on ESPN+.
