MONROE, La. – The UTA women's basketball team opens a four-game road swing this weekend when they take on the Warhawks of ULM in a 2-game Sun Belt Conference series at Fant Ewing Coliseum. The Lady Mavs and Warhawks open the series on Friday, Feb. 5 at 6:00 p.m., followed by a 4:00 p.m. contest on Feb 6.

Matchup: UTA (8-4, 6-2 SBC) at ULM (2-12, 0-8 SBC)
When: Friday, February 5 | 6:00 p.m.
Where: Fant Ewing Coliseum | Monroe, La.
Live Stats | ESPN+

Matchup: UTA (8-4, 6-2 SBC) at ULM (2-12, 0-8 SBC)
When: Saturday, February 6 | 4:00 p.m.
Where: Fant Ewing Coliseum | Monroe, La.
Live Stats | ESPN+

UP NEXT
UTA will conclude its 4-game road trip with a game at Louisiana (Feb. 8) and a matchup at in-state foe Texas State on Feb. 11.

NATIONAL RANKINGS
UTA ranks in the top 100 nationally in the following categories:

- Assist To Turnover Ratio (80th; 0.99)
- Total Assists (94th; 196)
- Assists Per Game (36th; 16.3)
- FG Percentage Defense (11th; 33.9%)
- Rebound Margin (100th; 2.8)
- Scoring Defense (15th; 54.8)
- Scoring Margin (75th; 8.5)
- 3PT FG Defense (67th; 27.9%)
- Win-Loss Percentage (83rd; 66.7)

Individually, Katie Ferrell ranks 66th nationally in assists to turnover ratio (2.04), 99th in total assists (57) and 50th in assists per game (4.8).

DURING SBC PLAY
In league play, the Lady Mavs are holding opponents to just 49.6 points per game, which is 2nd in the conference and just 0.4 points from 1st place Little Rock (49.1). UTA also ranks in the top-3 in the SBC in the following categories:

- Scoring Margin (2nd; 12.4)
- FG Percentage (2nd; 40.4%)
- FG% Defense (1st; 32.4%)
- 3PT FG% Defense (1st; 23.7%)
- Assists (2nd; 16.0)
- Steals (3rd; 8.6)
- Turnover Margin (3rd; +3.88)
- Assist/Turnover Ratio (2nd; 1.1)

WHEN PREPARATION MEETS OPPORTUNITY
After averaging no more than six points per game in their collegiate career, Shyia Smith and Bre Wickware have been asked to take on bigger offensive roles for the Lady Mavs this season and they have answered the call.

A transfer from Wichita State, Smith's best season came last year when she averaged 6.1 points and 5.1 rebounds on 41.4 percent shooting. The Idabel, Okla. native in her first season in the Blue and Orange is leading the team in scoring (12.6 ppg) and rebounding (6.3 rpg). Smith is also shooting .547 from the floor.

Wickware, who turned in the best season of her collegiate career in 2019-20 after averaging 3.1 points and 2.2 rebounds, is UTA's second leading scorer (11.8) and second on the team in rebounding (5.6).

FOLLOW THE LADY MAVS
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 @UTAMavsWBB, on Instagram @UTAMavsWBB and on Facebook at Facebook.com/UTAMavsWBB.