Jan. 12, 2013

Final Stats / Photo Gallery

By Michael Eldridge | UTAMavs.com

ARLINGTON, Texas - UT Arlington dropped its fourth consecutive Western Athletic Conference game Saturday night by losing 65-57 to Texas State at College Park Center.

"We missed some easy shots early," UT Arlington coach Samantha Morrow said. "We shouldn't have got ourselves in that hole we did in the first half. We only had 20 points at halftime. We have got to be tougher.

"Losses are hard because this is a team we should have beat and the last three games we should have won but didn't. It's very frustrating on our part that we aren't over the hump yet."

Briana Walker led UTA with a game-high 16 rebounds, including 10 on the defensive boards. She capped her second double-double of the season adding 11 points. Malaika Green had a team-high 17 points, which was the highest output she has had since scoring 28 against Memphis on Nov. 21.

UTA had trouble converting on offense during the first half. The Mavs shot just 25.9 percent to open the game on 7-27 shooting and 3-11 from the 3-point territory. Laila Suleiman led the Mavericks in the first half with nine points, all from 3-point land.

Meanwhile, Texas State converted on 41.4 percent of its shots to open the game and had four 3-pointers. The Bobcats defense stifled the Mavericks midway through the half and held UTA scoreless for six minutes to open up a six-point lead. Walker ended the drought at the 7:23 mark, but the Mavs would score just four points throughout the remainder of the half to trail 28-20 at halftime.

Improved shooting for UTA in the second half got the Mavs back within four points of Texas State. Despite the comeback, every opportunity to get the game back to within a possession was answered by the Bobcats. Green led the charge for UTA by scoring 16 second half points off the bench, and Suleiman hit a big 3-pointer to give UTA hope.

Texas State would take care of its free throws though waning moments of the contest. The Bobcats hit nine free throws in the final five minutes to nail down the victory.

UT Arlington returns to WAC action Thursday as it starts a two-game road trip at Seattle University before heading to Idaho for Saturday's contest. Tip for both games is 9 p.m. CT.