by ARLINGTON, Texas – Once trailing by 21 in the third quarter, UTA women’s basketball pushed to cut the deficit to six in the final minute, but it wasn’t enough to secure the comeback as it fell 75-69 to rival Texas State Saturday at College Park Center.
The Lady Mavericks’ six-game win streak came to a halt, earning its first loss in Arlington since Dec. 3 against Kansas State. UTA dropped to 15-5 and 8-2 in Sun Belt play. The previous 8-1 start tied for the second-best conference opening in program history (2004-05). Texas State evened the season series with the win and improved to 11-10 and 6-4 in the league. UTA defeated the Bobcats 61-39 in San Marcos on Jan. 7.
Five Mavericks scored in double-figures as Rebekah VanDijk led the attack with 14 points and eight rebounds. The junior entered the Sun Belt’s career record books with one of two blocks on the day. The 132nd of her career tied for 25th in the league’s rankings. VanDik also moved into 13th in UTA’s all-time scoring records with double-digit performances in all 20 games this season.
Crystal Allen chipped in with 13 points and Cierra Johnson added 11 points, four assists and three steals. Lauren Billie (Creek/Seminole) was 3-for-4 from long range. The Bobcats outrebounded the Lady Mavericks 40-30, adding just one more steal 10-9. Texas State’s shooting was a sharper 48 percent to UTA’s 42, though the Lady Mavs hit a better 44 percent beyond the arc.
Both teams traded leads in the opening minutes fueled by 3-pointers. The Bobcats proved to have the hotter hand and jumped out to a 15-7 lead on 5-of-8 shooting, three of those from long range. UTA committed six turnovers and allowed five steals, but registered one more rebound to trail 25-12 at the end of the first quarter.
Texas State wouldn’t let up in the second frame, still shooting over 70 percent midway through. A trey from Lauren Billie shaved the lead down 30-17 and a quick jumper inside brought the Lady Mavs within 10. A late 6-2 run for the Bobcats strengthened the advantage as they would take a 14-point lead into the break.
An exciting and intense third quarter saw UTA outscore Texas State 23-18 and cut the deficit down to seven in the final seconds with three shots on three attempts. Billie came in clutch with another 3 to instill some life into CPC and UTA. A 12-2 run for the Lady Mavs earlier in the period had them down by 11.
Another key 3 from Billie followed by a Johnson layup brought the score to 66-57 midway through the fourth. The Lady Mavs wouldn’t come close again until a Devers long-range shot under two seconds to play to closed out the day.
UPCOMING GAME
The Lady Mavericks continue their three-game stay at CPC with a pair of matches against the Sun Belt’s two Arkansas squads. UTA hosts Little Rock 11:30 a.m. Thursday and turns to Arkansas State 2 p.m. Saturday.
