Jan. 26, 2013
Final Stats
By Michael Eldridge | UTAMavs.com
ARLINGTON, Texas -- UT Arlington could not overcome 30 turnovers on the way to losing 78-70 to San Jose State Saturday night at College Park Center.
For the second consecutive game, UTA attempted to come back from a double-digit deficit. UTA trailed by as many as 17 points against San Jose State, but closed the game to within four points with four minutes to play.
The Mavericks dropped their eighth consecutive game and fell to 3-16 overall and 1-8 in the Western Athletic Conference. Aron Garcia led UTA on offense with 19 points and 11 rebounds for her second straight game with a double-double.
"We didn't play great defense and didn't score enough points," UT Arlington coach Samantha Morrow said. "I thought we would build on our last game, but I was wrong. I thought we come out with a lot more fire and passion than how we did out there. We played east and west again instead of north and south. We played timid."
The Mavericks kept the game close throughout much of the first half. Garcia led all scorers with 11 points and UTA's press tired the San Jose State offense throughout the half. Hurting the Mavs offense though was 18 turnovers committed in the half. The Spartans capitalized and scored nine points in transition. San Jose State led 38-29 at the the break.
UTA narrowed the gap to open up the second half with a 5-0 run to get within four points. Desherra Nwanguma made a free throws and Laila Suleiman scored four before the Spartans could answer. The teams exchanged buckets before San Jose State pulled away at the 10-minute mark. San Jose State scored seven consecutive and 11-of-15 points to extend the lead to 15 points.
Chauntandra Williams brought UTA back within striking distance. The sophomore scored six consecutive and Malaika Green added five, including a 3-pointer that closed the game to four points.
San Jose State would seal the game by hitting 5-of-6 free throws down the stretch.
UTA ends its three-game homestand Saturday when it hosts Louisiana Tech at 6 p.m. at College Park Center.
