Nov. 29, 2009

Lubbock, Texas - With free throws looking to be the Mavericks worse enemy throughout the game, they turned out to be UTA's best friend in the final 30 seconds of the game. UT Arlington sneaked by the Dons 70-67 in the final game at the United Spirit Arena in Lubbock, Texas.

Offensively the Mavericks continued to struggle, as the Dons of San Francisco opened the first half on a 6-0 run. Meghan Nelson poured in the Mavericks first points of the game, making the score 6-3.

With several of the Mavs in foul trouble, USF rolled to a 14-points advantage, 27-15 with 4:59 in the first half. UT Arlington managed to cut the deficit to nine heading into the locker rooms.

UTA trailed the entire second half until the 1:07 mark when Veronica Mergerson tied the game with a huge offensive board and powered her way to basket and a foul. After converting the three-point play, Martin added to the Mavericks lead with a steal and a fast break layup with 52 seconds left in the game.

In a chance to regain possession of the ball, USF was forced to foul in the final seconds of the game. Tamara Simmons was sent to the line three times and knocked down 5 of 6 of her free throws.

Nelson led the Mavs with 16 points on 5-of-12 shooting while Simmons finished with 13 points.

The Mavericks finished the game shooting 41.1 percent from the field, 20 percent from three-point range and 80 percent from the line.

UT Arlington continues their 11-game road trip with their next stop at Oklahoma on Thursday, December 3 at 7 p.m.