Dec. 21, 2007
Box Score
CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Junior Candice Champion led three Mavs in double-digit scoring with a career-high 19 points recording her second double double of the season with 10 rebounds as UT Arlington came from behind to win 68-60 over Charlotte on Friday night at Halton Arena.
"We played our best half of basketball we have all season in the second half," said head coach Samantha Morrow. "Our bench came out huge for us tonight."
Freshman Tamara Simmons kicked off the game with back-to-back jumpers to give the Mavericks the early 4-0 lead. Erin Floyd hit a jumper at the 16:21 mark to spark a 14-2 Charlotte run and put the 49ers ahead by nine (14-5).
Charlotte drove its lead to 12, which it took into the locker room, with 7:50 left in the half on a free throw from Shannon McCallum.
UTA came out and scored four quick points in the second half to cut the 49ers lead to eight. With 13:45 left in the game, Charlotte had driven its lead to 15 capped with a three from Traci Ray.
Freshman Shalyn Martin hit a layup with 13:31 on the clock, to spark a 15-2 run and bring UTA within two (50-48).
With 4:55 on the clock sophomore Meghan Nelson had a put back to give the Mavs their first lead since five minutes into the first half.
Charlotte's Sabrina Gregory converted on an old fashion three-point play to tie it up 60-60 with four minutes left to play.
Martin answered with a layup to give UTA the two-point advantage at the 2:32 mark.
From their strong defense helped the Mavs hold Charlotte scoreless and in the final 30 seconds of the game senior Maryann Abanobi sank 2-for-2 from the line and a layup to secure the 68-60 come-from-behind win.
Abanobi finished the night with 15 points while Martin added 11 points to the effort as the Mavs improve to 5-4 on the season.
After a short Christmas break the Mavs will return to action on Dec. 28 as they travel to College Station for a rematch with Texas A&M from the first round of the NCAA tournament last season. Tip is set for 6 p.m. at Reed Arena.
