Final Stats

Photo Gallery

By Michael Eldridge | @DFWSportsMike

TROY, Ala. - In a battle that pitted UT Arlington's conference-leading defense against Troy's top offense, it was the Trojans attack that came out on top 88-71 on Thursday night.

Cierra Johnson's career-high 26 points were not enough as the Lady Mavericks fell back to .500 overall (7-7) and in SBC play (2-2). The loss ended UTA's three-game road winning streak and was UTA's third loss in Troy in as many trips. Rebekah VanDijk earned her third double-double of the season with 10 points and 12 rebounds. VanDijk clinched the feat with a layup with less than 10 seconds remaining.

The Sun Belt's leading scorer entering the day, Ashley Beverly-Kelly led Troy's potent offense as four Trojans produced double-digit scoring efforts. Beverly-Kelly finished with 24 points for her eighth game with at least 20 points.

Johnson helped UTA to an early lead with back-to-back 3-pointers down the court. However, Troy responded with treys of its own as the teams found themselves tied 10-10. The Trojans came out of the first media timeout hot, going on a 7-2 run with five coming from the team's leading scorer. Johnson helped tie the game at 20-20 with 10 points in the first. Beverly-Kelly responded though with a bucket at the buzzer to hold a two-point lead after the opener.

Going back-and-forth to begin the second, neither team could separate from one another early. UTA remained within four points of the Trojans through eight minutes of the quarter before Beverly-Kelley picked up a steal to extend the Troy lead to six points with 1:31 in the half. Johnson combined with Toma Zaleckaite to claw back within one, but a late run saw the Trojans leading 35-31 at the break.

Keeping up with its first half momentum, Troy opened the second with an early 8-0 run that was helped along by two turnovers and three missed UTA shots. Johnson picked up her career-high with back-to-back buckets, but the sophomore was the lone player with any offensive success for UTA.

The Trojans extended their lead to 20 points to end the third, putting up the most UTA has given up in a quarter this season as they outscored the Lady Mavs 30-14.

UTA rallied late in the contest to bring the contest back within 13 points in the fourth. Amara Wainwright had an attempt to cut it to just 10 with less than two minutes, but her 3-pointer rimmed out and Troy sealed the win late.

Turning point
With UTA able to fight back from each offensive attack in the first half, Troy was finally able to pull away from the Lady Mavericks with a big third. Troy shot 50.0 overall and knocked won four 3-pointers to outscore UTA 30-14 in the quarter. UTA shot just 35.7 percent.

Key Stats
UTA turned the ball over just 13 times, its second best this season. ... UTA is 2-4 against Troy all-time. ... VanDijk improved her Sun Belt-leading rebounding effort with her fifth double-digit game of the season. ... Johnson, entering fifth in NCAA Division I in steals per game (3.54), had just two on the night. ... The 88 points were the most UTA has given up this season.

Notable
Troy led for 31:33 minutes in the contest, the most UTA has trailed this season since the season opener against No. 5 Baylor.

Up next
UTA concludes its three-game road trip on Saturday against South Alabama. UTA is 3-2 all-time against the Jaguars, but won both matchups last season.

Quotable
UTA coach Krista Gerlich on the team's performance:
"We were on our heels the whole night. What we gave up in the first quarter was nearly the most we have given up in a quarter all year and that really put us on our heals. We started playing their game and it is hard not to, they push the ball and give you easy looks in the press so it makes you play fast as well, and we are not a team like that. We cannot play with people like that, we have to learn how to make stops and put the ball in the hole when we have an open shot."

Gerlich on Johnson's career-high effort:
"I love Cierra's attitude and the fight she has in her. She isn't afraid of anybody and attacks and gets after it. She is a competitor and I am really proud of her effort."