Nov. 24, 2009

UMKC at UT Arlington Photo Gallery

Box Score

By Josh Bowe for utamavs.com

ARLINGTON, Texas - At first glace after the end of the first half, it seemed the only way Shalyn Martin was going to get a career high in points was to shoot even more.

More was in fact less for Martin in the second half as she scored a career high 23 points, grabbed seven rebounds and more importantly helped UT Arlington (2-1) avoid its first losing streak of the season, beating University of Missouri-Kansas City (2-3) 72-61 in Texas Hall Wednesday.

"I just took what she gave me," Martin said. "I just settled down and took what was easy."

It was certainly easier for Martin. In the first half she only shot 4-for-10 and had nine points. The second half was like Martin had an epiphany, as she scored 14 points on only five shots in the second half.

"In my opinion she started taking better shots," coach Samantha Morrow said. "I felt like she took shots that she practices and she hit them and thank goodness."

The only career high that seemingly was going to happen in the first half was for UMKC senior guard Chazny Morris. She seemingly scored at will in the first half, scoring 14 points. The Kangaroos kept the first half close, and even leading at the end 30-28.

But then Morrow decided to make a huge in-game adjustment. Senior guard Meghan Nelson only played nine minutes in that first half due to foul trouble.

Nelson stayed on the court for the second half, and Morris only scored seven after intermission.

"She shut her down in the second half," Morrow said. "We need her out there."

Morrow admitted that Nelson had been sick in the previous week, so Morrow didn't want to push her minutes. But Morrow said its obvious how much better the Mavericks are when Nelson is on the court.

"Yes, that's why we start her," Morrow said with a chuckle.

Nelson said she knew she had to stay on the court to help guard Morris. She said she used her quickness to stay in front of her and force bad shots.

"That's what I thought about when I was coming out," Nelson said. "Basically just being right there on the catch and contesting the shots."

Martin wasn't the only the Mav that reaped the benefits of a career night. With the defense playing better, the Mavs were able to open it up on offense as UMKC had to shift towards Martin and allowed Nelson to pick up some easy buckets.

"Their man focus is going to be on Shay at the time," Nelson said. "You do what you got to do and get the cheap stuff."

The easiest way the Mavericks pulled away from the Kangaroos late however were the free throws. UTA shot a season best 22-for-23 at the charity stripe. UMKC didn't attempt its first free throw until 1:20 remaining in the second half.

Morrow wouldn't comment much on the free throw disparity, not wanting to discuss the officiating. She was more than welcome to talk about Martin though, who played almost the entire game.

Martin's length keyed a 10-0 run midway through the second half that helped the Mavs keep the lead for good. UTA pressed UMKC hard, and Morrow isn't worried about Martin's stamina after running the press that much.

"We used our timeouts wisely," Morrow said. "And we won't go hard tomorrow and we travel Thursday and she'll have 48 hours to recover."

Martin wasn't tired though, or so she said. The win certainly helps.

"If I win I feel good," Martin said.