Feb. 10, 2011
Final Stats
Huntsville, Texas - Similar to last year's contest at the Johnson Coliseum, the Mavericks and Bearkats went back and forth for forty minutes. Once again Sam Houston State came out on top, winning a 71-65 decision in Huntsville, Texas.
The loss dropped the Mavs to 6-15 overall and 3-6 in Southland play. Sam Houston State improved to 13-13 and 7-3.
Sam Houston State wasted no time jumping out to a 22-9 advantage in the early minutes of the first half. UTA struggled to find their offense and had trouble holding onto the ball committing seven first half turnovers.
The Bearkats connected on five 3-pointers, three of which came from Chanice Smith.
Shalyn Martin and Tamara Simmons brought the Mavs within seven at 37-30 heading into the locker rooms. The senior duo recorded 21 of the Mavs first half 30 points.
UTA finished the half shooting 29 percent to the Bearkats 38.2 percent from the field.
A completely different team came out in the second half, as the Mavericks went on a 9-0 run to come back from a seven point deficit and take their first lead of the game at 39-37 at the 17:18 mark.
The Mavericks picked up their defense and offense, holding the Bearkats to a bucket and leading by their largest lead of five (44-39).
The two teams would tie the game five times, the final time coming at the 7:37 mark at 50-50. Back-to-back buckets by the Bearkats gave them a four-point advantage with 5:48 on the clock.
With 4:48 remaining in the game, Simmons put the Mavs within one after she connected on her fourth 3-pointer of the game. That was the closest UTA would get as they were forced to foul and play catch up the rest of the way.
The Mavericks finished the game shooting 36.7 (22-of-60) percent from the floor to Sam Houston State's 37.1 (23-of-62) percent. UTA was outrebounded by a Southland team for the seventh time this season, as the Bearkats won the battle with a 48-36 margin.
The Mavs bench put in work, connecting on 31 points.
Simmons led all scorers with 24 points, shooting 8-of-19 from the field, including 4-of-8 from behind the arc and 4-of-8 from the free throw line. Martin finished with 21 points and four steals while Jasmine Smith added 11 points and a team high seven rebounds.
Three Bearkats finished in double-figures with Britni Martin leading the way with 21 points.
Following tonight's game, the Mavericks will return to Texas Hall for a Saturday 2 p.m. match up against Texas State. This will be the second time the Mavs will face the Bobcats this season.
Texas State recorded a 61-57 win on their home court January 29.
