ARLINGTON  – Back at College Park Center for the first time in 2019, UT Arlington hosts Appalachian State in a Thursday night Sun Belt tilt on ESPN+ at 7 p.m.

The Lady Mavericks improved to 9-4 on the season and 1-1 in league action after downing Georgia Southern 74-53 last Saturday in Statesboro, Ga. Cierra Johnson posted a game-high 18 points on the way to the program's 650th all-time win, as well as vaulting Johnson into 15th in Lady Maverick scoring history with 1,075. Appalachian State enters with a 7-6 record and 1-1 in the Sun Belt. The Mountaineers topped South Alabama to hand the Jaguars their first loss of the season before falling to Troy. 

UTA is perfect in eight meetings with Appalachian State, including a 49-48 thriller at CPC last February in which former Lady Mav Rebekah VanDijk clinched the win with a bucket with just eight ticks on the clock. Johnson, missing out on both meetings last year due to injury, has posted four double-digit scoring efforts as well as a 10-assist game - tied for ninth in UTA single-game history. The senior will look to continue her run as she has an opportunity to move into 14th in scoring history with just nine points needed in Thursday's game. 

Continuing to play with a dominating defense, UTA moved up to 29th in the nation in turnover margin at 5.08. The league-best mark has helped UTA go 9-0 when it either forces more turnovers or is tied with the opponent in the column. However, UTA is winless in four games when it gives it awa more. 

FOLLOWING THE LADY MAVERICKS 
All of UTA's 14 home games at College Park Center will be featured on ESPN+. Thursday's call is provided by Ron Thulin with former TCU All-American Jada Butts on color. 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 4-0 against App State all-time on the home court... UTA is 26-7 at College Park Center in the last three seasons. UTA was 13-2 last season and are 51-46 since the arena's opening in 2012... Johnson needs just 2 steals to move into 9th in Sun Belt history and 4 to move into 8th. She is 13 steals away from the all-time program mark... UTA has won its last four home games to start a new year... Brooke Alexander connected on her first four 3-point attempts, all in the first quarter, to finish with 12 points. She is 91st in the nation with a 38.8 3-point percentage... UTA closes the brief homestand on Saturday against Coastal Carolina at 2 p.m.

LOCKING DOWN THE HOME COURT
UTA was 13-2 at College Park Center during the 2017-18 season with the lone losses coming to Houston and South Alabama... UTA is 26-7 at CPC dating back to the 2016-17 season... The Lady Mavs went over the .500 mark during last season for the first time since opening CPC in 2012. UTA is 51-46 all-time at CPC. 

RECORD-BREAKING NONCONFERENCE
UTA's 8 wins in nonconference were the most in program history in non-league action. UTA has reached 7 several times, last in 2016... UTA posted a 5-game road winning streak to close non-league action... Cierra Johnson led the team in scoring with 13.3 points per game. She became the 19th player in program history with 1,000 or more points... UTA had featured wins of 20 or more points in 5 of the nonconference matchups... UTA defeated Houston for the first time after dropping the first 10 meetings.
 
COACHING STAFF
UTA coach Krista Gerlich is in her sixth season at the helm of UTA and enters with a record of 253-131 overall and 85-79 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. 

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.