LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Cierra Johnson recorded her first double-double of the season, as the UTA women's basketball team erased an 11-point deficit before falling to Little Rock, 68-65, on Saturday afternoon at the Jack Stephens Center.

The Lady Mavs shot 46.9 percent (23-of-49) from the floor and went 17-of-23 (73.9 percent) from the charity stripe, while the Trojans finished 22-of-49 (44.9 percent) from the field and shot 90.9 percent (20-of-22) from the free-throw line.

With the loss, UTA falls to 12-5 overall (4-2 SBC), while Little Rock improves to 9-8 on the season and 5-1 in conference play.

Cierra Johnson shot 5-of-12 from the floor and knocked down all three of her free-throw attempts to finish with a team-high 13 points. She also tied her career-high with 10 boards to register her first double-double of the season. Katie Ferrell finished with 11 points, eight boards and three steals, while Laurynn McGowen chipped in with 13 points and three boards off the bench.

Trailing by eight points after three quarters, UTA started the fourth on a 10-0 run and tied the game with seven minutes left in regulation. The Lady Mavericks would crank up their defensive intensity and would eventually take a 65-64 lead on C. Johnson's layup with 3:16 to play.

A momentum-changing play came with 1:46 left in the game when Terrion Moore gave Little Rock the lead after her charging foul call was reversed and went to the line to complete the three-point play and give the Trojans a two-point lead (67-65). UTA had opportunities to win or tie the game late, but the Lady Mavs committed a pair of turnovers and missed two layups in the final 1:46.

The Lady Mavs return to the court on Thursday, Jan. 24 when they host Georgia Southern (5-12, 0-6 SBC) at College Park Center. Tip-off for the contest, which will also be Elementary School Day, is set for 11:30 a.m.

For the latest news on UTA Women's Basketball, log on to UTAMavs.com or stay connected to the Lady Mavs on social media. Follow the Lady Mavericks on Twitter @LadyMavHoops, on Instagram @UTALadyMavs and on Facebook at Facebook.com/LadyMavHoops.

FINAL
UTA 65, Little Rock 68 | Box Score
Jack Stephen Center | Little Rock, Ark.

UTA STAT LEADERS AT LITTLE ROCK
Points: C. Johnson - 13
Rebounds: C. Johnson - 10
Assists: Milton - 2
Steals: Ferrell - 3
Blocks: C. Johnson, Chastain - 2