ARLINGTON – The UT Arlington women's basketball team returns to action on Friday evening as they head up to Stillwater, Okla. to battle Oklahoma State inside Gallagher-Iba Arena at 6:30 p.m.
3-POINTERS
- After playing only one game in the last 26 days, the UT Arlington women's basketball team is set to open Sun Belt Conference play on the road against Louisiana. It will be the final game in December for the Lady Mavs, and the final game in the year 2021.
- It will be the 28th meeting between the Lady Mavs and the Ragin' Cajuns and the third straight in Lafayette. Due to COVID protocols, UTA and Louisiana only met once last season with Louisiana snapping a three-game losing streak to UTA with a 57-48 home win. The Ragin' Cajuns went on to win the Sun Belt West Division, holding off UTA, who finished second.
- Since UTA joined the Sun Belt in 2013-14, the Lady Mavs hold a 10-6 advantage in the series over Louisiana, including a 5-3 record on the road inside the Cajundome.
HISTORIC WIN
The Lady Mavs knocked off No. 13 South Florida on Thursday, Dec. 2, inside the College Park Center.
It was the Lady Mavs first-ever win over a ranked opponent in program history. Prior to the USF win, the Lady Mavs were 0-73 against ranked opponents in the AP Poll era beginning in 1976-77.
The Lady Mavs had only been within 10 points in 10 match-ups in their entire history.
It is also believed to be the first win for UTA in the Coaches Poll era as well, where USF was ranked No. 17.
LAST TIME OUT: OKLAHOMA STATE NOTABLES
- The UT Arlington women's basketball team had a season-low in offensive output as they fell to Oklahoma State in Stillwater, 61-46.
- UTA shot 20 of 52 (.385) on the night, their first time shooting under 40% since the Houston win on Nov. 17.
- It is the second time in the last three contest that UTA did not make a 3-pointer, finishing 0 of 11.
- Despite shooting a lower field goal percentage on the night, Oklahoma State got up 69 shots to UTA's 52.
- UTA's 10 team assists are the lowest total since the Baylor game on Nov. 11.
- The Lady Mavs have scored 40 or more points in the paint in four straight games and in five total games this season.
- it was the first time in six games UTA had a difference starting lineup with Reniya Jones getting her first career start in place of Terryn Milton.
- UTA 46 points in the lowest point total this season and the first time UTA has scored under 50 points since Mar. 6, 2021 in a 54-46 SBC Quarterfinal loss to App State.
- UTA shot under 60% from the free throw for the first time this season, going 6 of 11 tonight (.545). The Lady Mavs had not dipped below 70 percent this season.
SCOUTING LOUISIANA
- Louisiana sits at 8-2 overall, winning six of their seven contests as they open conference play on Thursday. The Cajuns have wins over the likes of Rice, Southeastern Louisiana, and Louisiana Tech, while their two losses this season come to LSU at home and Houston on the road.
- Ty'reona Doucet was chosen as the Sun Belt Conference Preseason Player of the Year. Doucet is the do-it-all post for Louisiana as she leads the Cajuns in multiple categories including points, rebounds, and blocked shots.
- Doucet has hit many marks for the Cajuns and is the only player in school history to record over 1,200 career points, 800 career rebounds, and 100 career blocks.
- Brandi Williams was a first team preseason selection by the Sun Belt, but has only seen action in three games and has not played since Nov. 18 against LSU.
- Both Doucet and Williams each have over 1,000 career points for the Cajuns.
- Louisiana is ruthless on the defensive end as they come in as one of the best units in the country. They are fifth in the nation in field goal percentage defense, holding opponents to .324 from the field. They sit 31st in scoring defense as opponents come in avergaing 54.3 points per game.
- In the win over Louisiana Tech on Dec. 19, Diamond Morris matched a career-high in points with 14, including four 3-pointers.
- Louisiana went 13-1 a season ago and held off UT Arlington for the Western Division crown. It was the first season the Sun Belt did division play due to COVID-19.
- The Cajuns went on to play in the SBC Championship Game, where they fell to Troy 73-65 in Pensacola. Louisiana went on to accept an invitation to the WNIT where they suffered losses to Colorado and UT Martin. They finished last season at 16-8.
LADY MAVS RANKED IN MID-MAJOR POLL
The UT Arlington women's basketball team remains ranked in the Mid-Major College Inside Women's Top 25 Poll, sitting at No. 25 in the latest rankings released on Dec. 28. UTA is the only Sun Belt team inside the Top 25.
Following their upset win over nationally-ranked South Florida, the UT Arlington women's basketball team was ranked at high as 20th in the poll.
It was their highest ranking in the poll, and the first time they have entered the Top 25 since 2019-20 when they were ranked 25th.
UT Arlington has won six of their last eight, including wins over Houston, North Texas, UNLV, nationally-ranked South Florida, and last season's WNIT Champion Rice.
A STARR IS BORN
No player has made an impact quite like
Starr Jacobs has in her first nine games with the Lady Mavs.
After a terrific performance against nationally-ranked South Florida and Rice, Jacobs was named Sun Belt Conference Player of the Week. Jacobs averaged 15.0 points per game, 8.5 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 2.0 steals, including a 20 point performance against Rice.
Jacobs is currently 15th in the nation in field goal percentage (.597), 31st in the country in steals per game (2.8), 38th in field goals made (77), and 28th in points per game (19.1).
In Las Vegas, Jacobs put together one of her best weekends as she combined to go 26 of 41 (63.4%) from the field while averaging 27.5 points to go with 3.5 steals.
Jacobs added her name to the record books as her 14 made field goals against UNLV on Nov. 27 was good for the third-most all-time in a single game in UTA history. Her 12 made field goals against Kansas City on Nov. 28 tied her for ninth all-time.
BIG KAT MOVES TO 2ND
With an assist in the third quarter against Rice on Dec. 4, 2021, senior
Katie Ferrell tied Terra Wallace for second all-time in career assists with 409.
Ferrell moved into sole possession of second place early in the first quarter against Oklahoma State on Dec. 17.
Against #13/17 South Florida on Dec. 2, 2021, Ferrell became the third Lady Mav in school history to eclipse 400 career assists.
Ferrell is currently second in the Sun Belt Conference in assists with 5.0 per game and first in assist/turnover ratio at 2.65. Her assist/turnover ratio is good for 22nd in the nation.
Ferrell will have an outside chance to become the all-time leader in assists as she is 145 behind Krystal Buchanan. Ferrell is 22 assists away from moving into the Top 25 in career assists in the Sun Belt.
TERRYN EYES 7TH
With her fifth assist in the first quarter on Nov. 28 against Kansas City, senior
Terryn Milton moved into eighth all-time in career assists, passing Cierra Johnson at 315. Milton now sits at 322 assists in her career.
Milton is only 10 behind Gale Haynes for seventh and 12 behind Shalyn Martin for sixth. Milton is 44 assists away from moving as high as fourth all-time.
Milton is fifth in the Sun Belt in assists per game with 3.9 and second in the SBC in assist/turnover ratio at 2.19. She had a season-high nine assists against Sam Houston on Nov. 13, where she became the ninth Lady Mav in school history to eclipse 300 career assists.
Milton, along with Ferrell, have become the second duo in school history from the same recruiting class to each have 300 or more assists in a career. Tamara Simmons and Shalyn Martin accomplished this feat in 2011.
Milton and Ferrell passed Simmons and Martin for the most assists by a duo in school history against Houston on Nov. 17 at 676. They became the first duo to surpass 700 combined assists in the win over UNLV on Nov. 27.
| Player |
Year |
Assists |
| 1. Krystal Buchanan |
2001-05 |
561 |
| 2. Katie Ferrell |
2018-pres. |
414 |
| 3. Terra Wallace |
2003-07 |
409 |
| 4. Paige Smithers-Wojciak |
1982-86 |
366 |
| 5. Tamara Simmons |
2007-11 |
341 |
| 6. Shalyn Martin |
2007-11 |
334 |
| 7. Gale Haynes |
1993-97 |
332 |
| 8. Terryn Milton |
2018-pres. |
322 |
| 9. Cierra Johnson |
2014-19 |
315 |
| 10. Carolyn Smith |
1977-81 |
282 |
DISHING OUT DIMES
UTA is first in the Sun Belt in assist turnover ratio and inside the top 50 nationally. In their nine games played this season, UTA is 5-1 when they have a plus assists turnover ratio and 5-0 overall when they have at least 15 assists or more as a team. UTA is 25th in the country with the fewest turnovers at only 130.
The Lady Mavs are 1-2 this season when they have a negative assist turnover ratio including two losses by 15 points or more.
The Lady Mavs have 10 or more assists as team in eight consecutive games including a season-high 20 in a win over Rice on Dec. 4.
RED HOT SECOND HALVES
UTA is first in the Sun Belt in assist turnover ratio and inside the top 50 nationally. In their nine games played this season, UTA is 5-1 when they have a plus assists turnover ratio and 5-0 overall when they have at least 15 assists or more as a team. UTA is 25th in the country with the fewest turnovers at only 130.
In the six games the Lady Mavs have won this season, big scoring second halves have been a vital piece.
UTA has outscored their opponents in all six of those halves, averaging 38.3 points while shooting 81 of 164 (.493) from the field.
| OPP |
FG % |
PTS |
RESULTS |
| SHSU |
14-27 (.518) |
39 |
W, 72-54 |
| UH |
13-26 (.500) |
38 |
W, 69-66 (OT) |
| UNT |
14-26 (.538) |
39 |
W, 75-74 (OT) |
| UNLV |
14-32 (.438) |
41 |
W, 75-72 |
| USF |
11-23 (.478) |
32 |
W, 61-56 |
| RICE |
15-30 (.500) |
44 |
W, 73-65 |
| TOTAL |
81-164 (.493) |
233 |
6-0 |
UTA combined to shoot 28 of 86 (.326) and shot under 40% for the half in their three losses. They have only averaged 26.7 points in the three contests.
HOME SWEET HOME
The UTA women have called the College Park Center home since February 1, 2012 when they defeated UTSA in their first contest in their new home arena, 51-40. Since then, the Lady Mavs have complied a home record of 84-52 including five seasons with 10 or more wins.
Since the 2016-17 season, the Lady Mavs have been remarkable at home as they have put together an impressive 62-15 record including a 37-6 record in Sun Belt play as they have not lost more than two games inside their home arena.
Lady Mavs Home Record
2021-22: 4-1
2020-21: 8-1
2019-20: 12-4
2018-19: 12-3
2017-18: 13-2
2016-17: 11-3
2015-16: 7-8
2014-15: 10-5
2013-14: 3-11
2012-13: 3-10
2011-12: 1-4
Total: 84-52
AMONG THE ELITE
UTA has been one of the top teams in the Sun Belt Conference year in and year out since joining the league in 2013-14. The Lady Mavs have been .500 or better every year except their very first season and have currently won 10 or more conference games in seven straight seasons, a conference-leading mark they hold with Troy.
1. Little Rock: 113
2. Troy: 103
3. UTA: 90
4. Arkansas State: 82
5. Louisiana: 79
6. Texas State: 77
7. South Alabama: 62
8. Georgia State: 58
9. App State: 55
10. Coastal Carolina: 41
11. Georgia Southern: 31
ULM: 31
FOLLOW ALONG
For updates, behind-the-scenes photos, videos and more engaging and personal content, be sure to follow the women's basketball program on Twitter (@UTAMavsWBB), Instagram (@UTAMavsWBB) and Facebook (/UTAMavsWBB).
