Jan. 26, 2006

Box Score

ARLINGTON, Texas - SFA senior forward LaToya Mills scored 14 points and pulled down a career-best 24 rebounds as the Ladyjacks put an end to Texas-Arlington's 22-game home court winning streak with a 39-35 victory Thursday evening at Texas Hall.

Leading by nine points with 12:20 to play, the Mavs (12-6, 6-1) offense returned dormant as they manage just two points over the next 9:33 and saw their advantage turned into a two-point deficit.

Mills sparked the 13-2 run with eight points and Brittany Vinson added a three-pointer. UTA got a layup from Terra Wallace at the 7:18 mark, but did not score again until Ashley Bobb converted a layup at the 2:47 mark.

With the score tied, Mills would hit a baseline jumper with 1:29 left and the Mavs would miss three-straight three-pointers on their next two possessions before Mills sealed the deal with a pair of free throws.

The first half was one to forget for both teams as they combined for seven field goals and 23 turnovers. The Ladyjacks shot 3-of-23 (.130) from the field and committed 13 turnovers, while the Mavs were just 4-of-31 (.129) from the field and turned the ball over 10 times.

The lone bright spot in the first half was the play of Tojjinay Thompson as she stole the ball and went coast-to-coast for the game's first points at the 18:23 mark.

SFA (12-6, 6-1) got a pair of free throws over the next three minutes before UTA regained the lead on a Thompson three-pointer from the corner at the 13:00 mark.

Another steal and layup by Thompson put the Mavs up five before SFA got their first field goal of the half from LaToya Mills at the 11:41 mark.

UTA built up its largest lead of the half to six points on a pair of free throws from Thompson and one from Terra Wallace.

The Ladyjacks answered with a three-pointer from Brittany Vinson before Dudley pushed the lead back to six points with a basket inside and a free throw.

SFA would cut the deficit to one point at the 4:10 mark before the Mavs would hit four free throws. The 'Jacks would get the final three points of the half at the charity stripe to send the teams to recess with the Mavs ahead 17-15.

UTA found its offense at the beginning of the second half as the Mavs scored the first nine points of the half to put them ahead 26-15 at the 16:48 mark. Abanobi scored all five of her points during the run.

SFA would rally back with five points from Kirby Killingsworth to pull within four points before Wallace knocked down a three-pointer to push the advantage back to nine points.

For the game, UTA shot just 19.4% (12-of-62) from the floor and a dismal 8-of-18 (.444) from the charity stripe. SFA was not much better from the field as they hit just 11-of 48 (.229) from the floor.

Thompson was the lone Mav in double figures with 13 points and added six rebounds and a game-high four steals. Wallace was held to just eight points. She continued to fill out the stat sheet with seven rebounds, five assists, two steals and two blocks. Five Mavs pulled down at least six rebounds as UTA had 52, including 25 on the offensive end.

The Mavs return to action on Jan. 28 as they welcome Sam Houston State to Texas Hall. Tip-off is set for 2 p.m.