UT Arlington (3-4) vs. WKU (4-2)
Dec. 13 | 2 p.m. | College Park Center

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By Michael Eldridge | @DFWSportsMike

ARLINGTON, Texas - After enjoying a 10-day break, UT Arlington returns to the court for its final home game of nonconference play on Sunday against WKU. Tipoff at College Park Center is scheduled for 2 p.m.

The Lady Mavericks (3-4) are facing a tough test in the Lady Toppers (4-2). WKU is UTA's fourth defending conference champion that is on the nonconference slate. The Lady Toppers own a 2-0 advantage in the all-time series, meeting twice as Sun Belt foes during the 2013-14 season prior to WKU departing for Conference USA.

"They are really well coached and have experience from winning," UT Arlington coach Krista Gerlich said. "They won their conference last year and have a great point guard in Kendall Noble. We are familiar with her, but they lack a little bit in size so we hope to have an advantage there, but at the same time we will have to handle their athleticism on the perimeter. There is a lot of things that we can beat ourselves with and we have to limit our mistakes."

The team has had a chance to put a focus back on their schoolwork during the week off, as well as getting a break after playing a road schedule that saw UTA play in two states over the course of three days.

"It has helped them mentally to get back in the groove with classes and make sure they finish strong in their academics," Gerlich said. "They have had the chance to get their legs back under them. They have been working hard for a long period and hopefully it gives them a new fresh start in this part of the schedule."

College Park Center has treated UTA well in four games. The Lady Mavs have scored 65.8 points per game at home, while just averaging 42.7 away. The message from the coaching staff during the break has been about being consistent, as well as playing with a higher level of physicality.

"We have been working on a lot of toughness and being intense," Gerlich said. "Learn how to set screens better and be strong, just a lot of toughness drills."

Following the matchup against WKU, UTA closes out the nonconference schedule on the road at Houston Baptist on Dec. 19 and UTSA on Dec. 21. The Sun Belt schedule gets underway at CPC on Dec. 30 against Georgia State.