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Kira Reynolds WAC Tournament vs Utah Tech
73
Utah Tech UTTECH 9-20,4-14 WAC
77
Winner UT Arlington UTA 11-20,4-14 WAC
Utah Tech UTTECH
9-20,4-14 WAC
73
Final
77
UT Arlington UTA
11-20,4-14 WAC
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 F
Utah Tech UTTECH 13 16 22 22 73
UT Arlington UTA 28 6 15 28 77

Game Recap: Women's Basketball |

Reynolds Records Eighth Double-Double as UTA Outlasts Utah Tech in WAC Tournament Opener

LAS VEGAS, Nev. – Behind a dominant performance from Kira Reynolds and a composed finish at the free-throw line, the UT Arlington women's basketball team earned a 77-73 win over Utah Tech in the opening round of the WAC Tournament on Wednesday at Orleans Arena.

Reynolds paced UT Arlington with 21 points, 16 rebounds and five assists, recording her eighth double-double of the season in one of her most complete performances of the year. Nya Threatt added 16 points, while Laura Bello finished with 11 points and Aaliyah Goudeau chipped in eight off the bench. UT Arlington shot 47.3% from the field and 78.6% at the line, while also holding a 36-33 edge on the glass.

"It means a lot honestly [the victory] having been here before, I kind of know what it takes …" veteran Nya Threatt said.

The Lady Mavs came out firing, scoring 28 points in the first quarter and building a lead that grew to as many as 16 in the second period. UT Arlington took a 34-29 advantage into halftime after holding Utah Tech to 35.5 percent shooting in the opening 20 minutes while forcing the Trailblazers into four turnovers. Even after Utah Tech used an 11-0 run late in the second quarter to trim the deficit, UTA still carried momentum into the break behind a strong start on both ends of the floor.

Utah Tech answered in the second half, putting together 22 points in both the third and fourth quarters to keep pressure on the Lady Mavs throughout the final 20 minutes. But each time the Trailblazers threatened, UT Arlington responded. 

"I knew we had momentum and I was confident with that …down the stretch we made our free throws, we attacked, and we found a way to win there," head coach Shereka Wright said.

The Lady Mavs scored 28 points in the fourth quarter and went 13-of-14 from the free-throw line in the final period to hold off the comeback bid and secure the tournament-opening victory.

The Lady Mavs also got valuable production throughout the lineup, including 25 bench points and 38 points in the paint. UT Arlington assisted on 15 made field goals and came up with timely offensive plays late, despite Utah Tech knocking down 11 three-pointers and staying within striking distance throughout the second half.

Utah Tech was led by Laure Crocker with 17 points, while Borden and Hartley each added 14. The Trailblazers shot 41.5% from the floor and 39.3% from beyond the arc, but UTA's poise at the line and rebounding down the stretch proved to be the difference.

NOTEWORTHY

  • Kira Reynolds recorded her eighth double-double of the season with 21 points and 16 rebounds.
  • UTA scored 28 points in the first quarter and 28 points in the fourth quarter.
  • The Lady Mavs outscored Utah Tech's bench 25-8.
  • UT Arlington finished with 38 points in the paint and 15 assists.
  • UTA went 13-of-14 at the free-throw line in the fourth quarter.

UP NEXT
UTA advances to the quarterfinals of the WAC Tournament and will face Southern Utah on Thursday at 4:30 p.m. CT.

– #BuckEm –

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