March 13, 2009

Katy, Texas - The UT Arlington women's basketball team is one victory away from being named the 2008-09 Southland Conference Champions after they posted a hard-fought 67-62 win over Lamar University on Friday, March 13 at the Merrell Center.

The win improved the Mavericks to 22-9 while the Cardinals ended their season at 20-11 overall.

"I felt like we came out just like we did yesterday with lots of energy," said head coach Samantha Morrow. "We got some quick easy baskets and it seemed like we just hanged on to win. We talked about playing to win and not playing not to lose and I think we did that a little bit tonight. I think tonight was a true mark of a team that is resilient."

UTA jumped out to a 6-0 lead with 18:22 on the clock and kept the defensive tight on the Cardinals as they held them to single digits till the 9:18 mark of the first half.

The Mavericks extended their lead to 16 points after Meghan Nelson connected on a pair of free throws, at 27-11 with 7:27 in the first stanza. A three by Ang Green cut the deficit to 10 heading in to the lockers rooms, at 36-26.

UTA finished the first half shooting 52.2 percent (12-of-23) from the floor, 40 percent (2-of-5) from three-point range and a perfect 100 percent (10-of-10) from the free throw line.

Trashanna Smith opened the second half on a three ball, bringing the Cardinals within eight points. Meghan Nelson converted on a three-point play which brought the Mavs back on top by 11, at 39-28 with 17:28 remaining.

Candice Champion did her part in keeping UTA ahead but Lamar's Smith propelled her team on an 11-4 run, cutting the lead to seven with 10:54 left to play.

Both teams went head-to-head, exchanging baskets for the next three minutes until the Cardinals surged their way within three points with 1:45 left in the game. The Maverick's only four bench points came from Kiarra Shofner who connected on three of her four points in the final 19 seconds of the game, giving UTA a 65-61 lead.

Lamar's Brittany Williams banked one of two free throws with five seconds remaining but Simmons closed the Cardinals for good with a pair of made freebies.

Champion recorded her 15th double-double of the season with 21 points and 13 rebounds while Erin Dixon collected her 13th double-double with a 11-point, 14-rebound performance. Simmons finished with 16 points on 5-of-11 from the field, 2-of-6 from three-point range and 4-of-4 from the charity stripe while Shalyn Martin added 10 points and four blocks.

For the game, the Mavericks went 52.5 percent from the field, 30 percent from behind the arc and 81.5 percent from the free throw line.

For the Cardinals, Smith led the team with 18 points on 7-of-11 from the floor and 4-of-5 from the free throw line and grabbed 12 boards.

In their quest for the 2008-09 Southland Conference Championship, UT Arlington must first face defending SLC champions - UTSA tomorrow at 2 p.m. at the Merrell Center.