SENIOR ERIN DIXON LEADS UTA IN 90-49 VICTORY OVER MIDWESTERN STATE

Nov. 26, 2008

Box Score

GALLERY

Arlington, Texas - Backed behind a career-high 24 points by senior Erin Dixon, the Mavericks recorded a 90-49 victory over Midwestern State University on Wednesday, November 26 at Texas Hall. UT Arlington improved to 2-2 with the victory while Midwestern State fell to 1-2 on the season.

"Anytime you get to .500 it's great and we feel this was a team that we should beat and we know that the next couple of opponents we are going to face are very worthy but we feel like we have a very good chance against them," said head women's basketball coach Samantha Morrow. "We are going to continue to get better and cut our turnovers down. I'm happy with the win and happy that we're at .500 but we are not satisfied."

In 33 minutes of action, Dixon shot 10-of-11 from the field, 2-of-2 from three-point range, 2-of-5 from the free throw line and added seven boards against the Mustangs.

Four other Mavericks finished in double-digit scoring including sophomore Tamara Simmons who notched 17 points while Shalyn Martin, Candice Champion and LaTosha Duffey each scored 12 points.

"Erin had a lot of energy and I thought Candice looked a little sluggish in the beginning but she came out and got a couple of steals and looked good at times," said Morrow. "I think all the girls looked good and it was good for them to get in a rhythm, shoot baskets and not worry about the score too much."

UTA opened the first half on a 12-0 run until Midwestern State grabbed its first points of the game with a jumper at the 14:05 mark. The Mustangs were able to make their way back into the game, cutting the Mavericks lead to nine points with 4:19 left in the first half, making the score 28-19.

UT Arlington didn't let MSU get any closer as they climbed their way to a 23-point advantage heading into the locker rooms.

The Mavericks came into the second half on fire shooting from all angles of the court, leading by as many as 39 points with 3:31 left in the game. A pair of made free throws by Duffey at the 1:03 mark sealed UTA's first home victory of the season.

For the game, the Mavericks shot 58.1 percent from the field to Midwestern State's dismal 28.8 percent from the field. UTA converted 23 points off of MSU's turnovers and outrebounded them by a 42-34 margin.

MSU's Regiane Araujo recorded 15 points, nine points coming from the free throw line.

UTA will hit the road for an eight game road trip, making their first stop at Morehead, KY for a match-up against Morehead State on Sunday, November 30 with game time set for 2 p.m.