March 10, 2010

SLC Tournament Notes - Lamar

By Josh Bowe for utamavs.com

KATY, Texas - One down, two to go.

That's how UT Arlington is viewing the rest Southland Conference Tournament. UTA plays top-seeded Lamar Thursday afternoon at 2:30 at the Merrell Center in Katy, Texas.

Junior forward Shalyn Martin said winning one game is nice but there is more work to be done. She also mentioned how this tournament for the Mavericks has a certain revenge factor.

"Yes, a lot more work to be done," Martin said. "Now we have Lamar, who we haven't beat this year. It's kind of like a revenge factor for us."

UTA exacted some revenge on Tuesday night when it beat UT San Antonio. The Mavericks have never beaten the Roadrunners in the Southland Conference Tournament.

Coach Samantha Morrow said regardless of revenge factor she knows her team is not satisfied.

"Our team has much higher expectations and much higher goals than just to come in and get into the tournament," Morrow said.

A factor that could crop up is endurance for the Mavs. During the regular season UTA wouldn't play more than two games a week. Now the Mavericks face the possibility of playing three games in four days.

Senior guard Meghan Nelson said she thinks her team will be able to handle less rest and adapt.

"You've just go to prepare yourself," Nelson said. "You've got to be ready."

In both games against Lamar, both losses, this season UTA held leads late in the second half. Morrow just had a simple solution to beating Lamar.

"Keep a lead," Morrow said with a smile. "Jokingly I say that, but keep a lead. We've had a lead on them both times."

The Cardinals are led by Southland conference player of the year Jenna Plumley. Plumely averages 14.5 points per game and has made over 100 three pointers this season.

"We certainly don't want her to get 25, 30 points, which she's done against us," Morrow said. "We're just going to rotate different people on her. Try to keep fresh people on her."

But with the focus and preparation Morrow has seen from her team since they've come to Katy, Morrow said she would take her team against anyone.

"With the way were playing right now and they way we're focused, I'll take them out to battle against anybody," Morrow said.