ARLINGTON  – Returning back to College Park Center for the first time in a month, UT Arlington begins a two-game homestand on Thursday afternoon with a matchup with in-state rival UTSA at 2 p.m.

The Lady Mavericks are coming off a milestone trip away from home that saw UTA go 4-1 during the trek, earning a 6-2 record coming into the final two home games of nonconference play. UTA will take on Pac-12 foe USC on Saturday, also at 2 p.m. before a visit to SMU on Dec. 29. Along with earning the best record in a true road trip in nonconference action for the program, senior Cierra Johnson became the 19th player to reach 1,000 points. Johnson led the team in scoring during the five games, including a 23-point effort to lift the team to the overtime win against Houston on Monday night. 

The offensive display has been a showing of the depth of the roster with both upperclassmen and lower classmen shining at every opportunity. Freshman Claire Chastain posted double-digit scoring in three consecutive games, while freshman Katie Ferrell has been lock down on defense, providing a five-steal, nine-rebound game against the Cougars. 

Thursday's matchup with UTSA features the continuation of a rivalry that has spanned the course of different conferences before going different ways in realignment. Battling it out in the Southland Conference, the teams went to the WAC for a season before UTA joined the Sun Belt and the Roadrunners (4-6) went to Conference USA. The Lady Mavs are 33-28 against Thursday's foe, winning the last three. 
 
FOLLOWING THE LADY MAVERICKS 
All of UTA's 14 home games at College Park Center will be featured on ESPN+. Fans can subscribe to ESPN+ for just $4.99 per month, or $49.99 per year and cancel anytime. Fans wishing to see behind-the-scenes action and get updates from the court are encouraged to follow the team's Twitter account at www.twitter.com/ladymavhoops. Live stats for each of UTA's games can be found at UTAStats.com. 
 
KNOWLEDGE NUGGETS
UTA is 19-8 all-time against UTSA at home... UTA coach Krista Gerlich earned career win No. 250 on Monday night... During the road trip, Johnson scored a team-best 14.6 points per game, while Chastain (13.5 ppg) and Terryn Milton (12.2 ppg) each averaged double figures in the trip... UTA shot 47.0 percent from the field, shooting above 50 percent during three consecutive.
 
COACHING STAFF
UTA coach Krista Gerlich is in her sixth season at the helm of UTA and enters with a record of 250-129 overall and 82-77 at UTA. Talby Justus was named the program's associate head coach during the offseason, while Jordan Vessels was named an assistant coach after serving as the team's Director of Operations. Assistant coach Ashley Crawford remains the team's recruiting coordinator. 

LOOKING AHEAD
UTA closes the nonconference home portion of the schedule on Saturday against Pac 12 foe USC, also at 2 p.m. 
 
HOME TICKET INFORMATION
Single-game tickets start at just $6 for women and $8 for men, with group rates, military discounts and other cost-saving packages available as well. For additional information related to group tickets, contact Assistant Director of Marketing & Outbound Sales Jeremy Malnes at 817-272-9607 or via email at jeremy.malnes@uta.edu. Season tickets also remain on sale for as low as $50 per seat. For seating options and pricing, as well as Maverick Club benefits, click here. 

Additionally, with a purchase of men's basketball season tickets (Starting at $99), fans are eligible to receive complimentary season tickets to women's basketball, volleyball, softball and baseball for the entire 2018-19 season via the Mav Mania All Sports Pass. For more information on opting in to this complimentary package, or for any other season-ticket questions, please contact the UTA Box Office at 817-272-9595 or visit the College Park Center during regular business hours.

CLEAR BAG POLICY
In an effort to enhance public safety and the fan experience, for all UTA men's and women's home games this season the College Park Center will implement a clear-bag policy. All purses, containers, backpacks or anything larger than a small clutch bag are prohibited, and items must be placed in a clear tote bag not to exceed 12" x 6" x 12". For more information, fans are encouraged to visitUTAMavs.com/BasketballGameday.