Feb. 24, 2010

Beaumont, Texas - Similar to their first meeting earlier this season against the Cardinals, the Mavericks couldn't hold on in the final minutes of the game, falling 79-73 Wednesday night at the Montagne Center. The setback dropped the Mavericks to 12-14 overall and 7-6 in conference play.

After the Cardinals took a 15-7 advantage in the opening minutes, Meghan Nelson came alive connecting on four consecutive buckets to give the Mavericks their first lead of the game at 17-15 with 10:45 left in the first half.

The final four minutes of the first half consisted of three ties and six lead changes. Back-to-back treys by Tamara Simmons gave UT Arlington a 40-34 advantage but a Jenna Plumley NBA three ball put Lamar within three heading into the locker rooms.

Nelson and Simmons led the Mavs in the first half with 16 and 14 points. As a team, the Mavs shot 40.5 percent from the floor to the Cardinals 34.1.

The Mavs lead came and went in the second half as they struggled to maintain a steady pace. With a 10 point advantage at the 4:28 mark by the Mavericks, the Cardinals went on a 13-2 run sparked by a Plumley three from the corner, giving Lamar a 69-68 lead with 1:57 left to play.

Lamar took control of the game the rest of the way connecting on consecutive layups and their free throws.

For the game, the Mavericks shot 46.8 percent from the field and committed 17 turnovers to the Cardinals nine.

Simmons finished with 23 points on 9-of-16 shooting from the field, including 5-of-7 from three point range. Nelson recorded 21 points while Shalyn Martin added 16 points and nine boards.

The Mavericks return to Texas Hall Saturday, February 27 when they take on Sam Houston State at 4 p.m.