Nov. 23, 2007
Box Score
MALIBU, Calif. - Senior Maryann Abanobi led UT Arlington in the 64-54 victory over Pepperdine at the Timeout 4 HIV/AIDS Tournament in Malibu. Abanobi notched a career-high 29 points to lead the Mavs for the second straight game. The Mavs exacted revenge for the Wave's two-point win in overtime at Texas Hall last season.
UTA held Pepperdine scoreless in the opening three minutes of the game taking an early 7-0 lead. At the 11:17 mark, Abanobi hit a jumper to cap an 11-6 run by the Mavs to lead 18-6.
Five minutes later, freshman Shalyn Martin drained a three from the corner giving UTA a 14-point advantage. Four unanswered points by the Waves, cut the Mavs lead to ten (27-17) with 4:28 left in the half.
Pepperdine closed out the first half with a 5-4 run to cut UTA's lead down to nine (31-22) heading into the break. Abanobi finished the half with a game leading 15 points and the Mavs defense held the Waves to 25.8 percent from the floor.
In the opening two and half minutes of the second half, UTA outscored Pepperdine 6-4 to reclaim an 11-point edge.
Five-of-six from the line, a Miranda Ayim jumper and a layup from Teiosha George brought the Waves to within five with 12:42 left in the game. The Mavericks answered with a jumper from Abanobi and a pair of free throws from junior Candice Champion to reclaim the nine-point advantage.
Back-to-back jumpers from Abanobi and a basket from senior Tiffeny Riles drove the Mavericks lead to 12 (50-38) with 8:22 left in the game. A layup at the 6:11 mark from sophomore Kiarra Shofner gave UTA a 12-point lead.
Champion ended the game with a career-high 14 rebounds, while Martin added a career-high 12 points in the win. Ayim led the Waves with 17 points and 10 boards on the day.
The Mavericks will closeout their Thanksgiving weekend when they face-off with Wisconsin at 1 p.m. (PT) on Saturday. Wisconsin won 74-57 over Mississippi in the opening game of the Timeout 4 HIV/AIDS Tournament.
