Nov. 20, 2010
Box Score
Arlington, Texas - Despite losing a 17 point lead, the UT Arlington women's basketball team kept their composure in the final minutes earning a 75-68 win over UMKC Saturday at the Swinney Recreation Center.
The win gave the Mavs (1-2) their first win of the season and ended an 11 game win streak at home for the Kangaroos (1-2).
Despite early foul trouble, senior Tamara Simmons proved instrumental in the Mavericks win as she connected on 21 points, 13 of those points coming in the second half.
Shalyn Martin also had a good night as she registered her first double-double of the season, 16th of her career. She finished with 12 points and 13 rebounds.
Early fouls by some of the Maverick's starters forced head coach Samantha Morrow to sit her players and look to her bench to step up. The Mavs bench poured in 12 first half points with freshman Desherra Nwanguma registering eight of them.
Four of Nwanguma's eight points came in the final two minutes of the first half, helping them to a 35-29 advantage headed to the locker rooms.
Nwanguma finished the night with 11 points and nine rebounds.
UTA rolled to their largest lead of 17 points in the second half, thanks to three-point shooters Simmons and LaNell Taylor. The sharp shooters each connected on a pair of three's within a three minute time span.
The Mavericks 17 point lead slowly diminished following several unnecessary fouls and turnovers. UMKC cut the deficit down to four at the 1:13 mark after a Kim Nezianya layup.
UT Arlington would hold on for the win in the final minute of the game after the Kangaroos were forced to foul and send the Mavs to the line.
The Mavs finished the game shooting 41.5 percent (27-of-65) from the field and 45 percent (9-of-20) from three-point range. Both percentages were season-highs for the Mavericks.
UT Arlington did manage to limit their turnovers, committing 19 but UMKC converted 19 points off of them.
Up next for the Mavs is a meeting with Big 12 opponent Oklahoma State on Monday, November 22 in Stillwater, OK. The Cowgirls are coming off a 91-41 win over Centenary College Saturday afternoon.
Game time is set for 7 p.m.
