March 11, 2008

UTA vs. McNeese State Game Notes - SLC Tournament First Round

Katy, Texas - The UT Arlington women's basketball team is headed to the Southland Conference Tournament for the seventh consecutive year, and the 19th time in school history. The Mavs will face McNeese State in the opening game of the tournament Wednesday, March 12 at 12 p.m. The game will be broadcast on Southland TV.

The game will be the 53rd meeting between the two teams. The Mavericks lead the series 33-19 over the Cowgirls. In the regular season meeting, UTA defeated McNeese State 43-42 on their home court. It will be the third meeting between the two teams in the SLC Tournament. The series is tied with one win a piece. The last time the Mavs and Cowgirls faced off in tournament play was in 2006, with UTA coming out ahead 71-43.

Senior Maryann Abanobi leads the Mavericks in scoring with 12.4 points per game and was just named to the All-SLC Second Team. Candice Champion is second on the team in scoring with 10.3 points per game and with a .581 field goal percentage leads the SLC in league play. Senior center Tiffeny Riles, another All-SLC Second Team selection, leads the team and ranks fourth in the conference in rebounds with 7.7 per game.

McNeese State enters the game with an overall record of 10-20 and a Southland Conference record of 8-8. The Cowgirls have three players averaging double figures with Courtnee Hollins leading the way with 15.3 points per game. Junior Shante Perry is on the team in scoring with 11.0 points per game, and Brittany Boone rounds out the trio with 10.3 points per game. Reeshimah Davis leads the team in rebounding with 5.7 boards per game.