Dec. 19, 2005
Box Score
GAINESVILLE, Florida - Texas-Arlington had upset on its mind as it gave the Florida Gators fits for 40 minutes, but it was not enough as the Gators pulled away at the end to prevail with a 59-49 victory Monday evening at the O'Connell Center.
Dalila Eshe scored a career-best 25 points, including a key three-pointer with just over two minutes to play, and pulled down down 11 rebounds to lead three Gators in double figures. Sha Brooks added 12 and Brittany Davis 10.
Melanie Lane got the Mavs going as she scored the first points of the game inside. UTA would open up a quick advantage as back-to-baskets from Ashley Bobb and Terra Wallace gave the Mavs the early 6-2 advantage.
The Gators (8-1) would quickly respond, led by the play of Eshe who scored 11 of her 13 first half points during a 15-2 run.
Trailing by eight points, the Mavs tied the game up by going on an 8-0 run of their own over the next 2:55. Erin Dixon started the rally and was quickly followed up with baskets from Wallace, Ashley Cole and Wallace again.
UF would take their game to the free throw line to open the advantage back to eight points before Wallace would hit a shot with just over half a minute remaining and Lane with a putback with just over a second remaining sent the teams to recess with the Mavs trailing 23-27.
The Mavs (5-4) and Gators would go back and forth to start the second half with UF opening up a five point lead on a Sha Brooks jumper. UTA quickly responded by getting a Bobb field goal, followed by an Abanobi three-pointer, the only one of the game for the Mavs, to tie the score 39-39.
UTA would take the lead on a pair of Lane free throws and extend the lead to four on a Wallace jumper. UF regained the lead just moments later as Davis converted a three-point play and Kim Dye hit a triple from the wing, giving the Gators the 45-43 advantage with 9:05 remaining.
The game would go scoreless for nearly three minutes before Eshe gave the Gators a four-point advantage. Abanobi would pull the Mavs to within two points with a pair of free throws, but would be as close as the Mavs would get.
Baskets by Eshe and Marshae Dotson would push back the lead to eight points before Kristi Dudley would score on the ensuing possession.
With just over two minutes remaining, Eshe would put the nail in the coffin with a triple from the top of the key. To make things worse, Brooks nailed a three-pointer from the left wing.
Wallace was the only Mav in double figures with 12 points. She also tied her career-high with 10 rebounds. Bobb was also in double figures on the glass with 10 boards.
The Mavs outrebounded the taller Gators 44-30, including 24-6 on the offensive end, converting 19 second chance points.
The Mavs take a break for the holiday before returning to the hardwood on Dec. 30 against TCU. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. at the Daniel-Meyer Coliseum in Fort Worth.
