Jan. 15, 2005
Box Score
LAKE CHARLES, La. - Rola Ogunoye scored a team-high 21 points and Tabitha Wesley added 15 points and five steals as the Texas-Arlington women's basketball seized control of the game from the opening tip in remaining perfect in Southland Conference play with a 64-48 victory over McNeese State Saturday afternoon at Burton Coliseum.
Ogunoye got the offense rolling with a basket inside and Terra Wallace gave UTA the lead for good with the team's first three-pointer of the half. The Mavs quickly increased the lead as Ogunoye scored again inside and Wallace and Wesley hit back-to-back triples to push the lead to 11. Ogunoye would score on the next two possessions and before you could get settled into your seat the Mavs led 17-2 just over five minutes into the game.
The Cowgirls (3-12, 2-2 SLC) would have been out of the game if it wasn't for the hot shooting off the bench by Courtney Colmer. Colmer scored seven of the game's next nine points and trimmed the UTA advantage to just 10 points.
UTA (9-6, 4-0 SLC) quickly pushed its lead back to 15 points as Wesley hit her second three of the half and Ogunoye hit her fifth shot in as many attempts, followed by Wesley's third triple of the half.
The Mavs would never let MSU get any closer as Ogunoye would score her 12th points of the game on a layup and Wallace would add a free throw late for the 33-21 advantage at recess.
The Cowgirls came out in the second half hitting on the offensive end and Tara Abdul-Hadi brought the team to within 10 points on a jumper with 16:41 remaining. Ogunoye quickly responded with a three-point play off a missed shot from Wesley. The lead grew to 14 when Wallace hit a basket and converted one of two free throws following a steal.
UTA would continue to extend the lead as Krystal Buchanan hit a triple and Wesley hit three free throws after being fouled on an attempt from the corner. Tojjinay Thompson would get into the scoring act on a layup after beating pressure and Wesley hit her fourth triple of the game to put the advantage at 20 points with 6:32 remaining.
The Cowgirls would make a run late in the game and close the gap to 14 points on Clarissa Clark's three-point play with 2:05 to play. Ogunoye made sure it did not get any closer as she scored two field goals late to keep the final margin at 16 points.
Wallace was the third player in double figures with 12 points. Buchanan just narrowly missed a double-double as she had nine points to go along with a season-high 12 assists. Bobb led the team on the glass with eight boards. Colmer led the Cowgirls with 15 points.
For the game, UTA shot 24-for-52 (.462) from the field and connected on seven three-pointers. The Mavs forced 29 MSU turnovers and converted them into 29 points.
The Mavs return to action on Jan. 20 when they travel to take on Sam Houston State. Tip-off is set for 5:15 p.m. and is part of a doubleheader with the UTA men.
