ARLINGTON - The UT Arlington women's basketball team forced 19 turnovers and held Little Rock to just 24 points in the second half, en route to a 59-54 win over the Trojans on Saturday afternoon at College Park Center.

With the win, UTA secures head coach Shereka Wright's first Sun Belt Conference victory and improves to 3-3 overall and 1-1 in league play, while Little Rock falls to 5-4 on the season (1-1 SBC).

Despite multiple scoring droughts from both squads, the game was close from the tip and featured nine ties and eight lead changes.

The Lady Mavs held Little Rock was held below 39 percent shooting for the second consecutive game, as the Trojans made just 15-of-40 shots from the field and 1-of-7 (14.3 percent) from three-point range. UTA forced Little Rock into 19 miscues and scored 17 points off of those mistakes and also outscored the visitors in the paint 28-16.

Shyia Smith and Bre Wickware led the Lady Mavs with a 15 points each. Smith, who registered a career-high 21 points on Friday afternoon, added six boards and a block. Wickware shot 5-of-8 from the field, a perfect 3-of-3 from behind the arc and 2-of-4 from the charity stripe. The senior captain, who also added three rebounds, two assists and a pair of blocks, took on the responsibility of guarding Little Rock's leading scorer Bre'Amber Scott in the second half and held her to just four points on 1-of-6 shooting. Misty Dossey added eight points and Jordynn Hernandez finished with seven points, four rebounds and four assists. Katie Ferrell tallied seven points, five boards and four assists in 21 minutes off the bench.

Little Rock has three players finish in double figures, led by Scott's 16 points (12 in the first half). Brianna Crane, who knocked down the game-winner for Little Rock on Friday, finished the game with 15 points, while Krystan Vornes registered a double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds.

The Lady Mavs will return to the court next weekend when they welcome ULM to College Park Center for a 2-game SBC series. UTA and the Warhawks (2-4, 0-0 SBC) will have a 6:00 p.m. matchup on Jan. 8, followed by a 4:00 p.m. contest on Jan. 9.
 

Today's Player of the Game...brought to you by @PrinceLebanese ...@Breyoncereed

15 pts
5-8 FGs
3-3 3PT
*held Little Rock's leading scorer (B. Scott) to just 4 pts in the 2nd half

Mav fans get select half-price entrees at @PrinceLebanese
during #HungryHappyHour, M-F, 3-5pm. pic.twitter.com/RMqBDLYP0J

— UTA Lady Mavs (@UTAMavsWBB) January 3, 2021

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