ARLINGTON, Texas – Jadyn Atchison recorded a career-high in blocks and added 17 points, but UT Arlington women's basketball (10-19, 4-13 WAC) fell to Tarleton State(13-16, 7-11 WAC), 63-56, on Thursday night at College Park Center.
Atchison led the way with 17 points on 7-of-12 shooting and added a career high of four blocks, while
Laura Bello pulled down a team-best seven rebounds and
Kendal Robinson added nine points off the bench.
Mila Reynolds chipped in nine points.
Atchison on her mindset in this game, "Get stops on defense so we can get good looks on offense, whether it was me, or my teammates." Atchison said.
UTA controlled the glass in the first half, outrebounding Tarleton State 22-20, with
Laura Bello leading the way with six rebounds. The Mavericks also turned Tarleton miscues into opportunities, scoring seven points off turnovers.
The Lady Mavericks used a 13-point second quarter to erase a three-point deficit after the opening frame and carry momentum into the locker room. Tarleton State held a 15-12 advantage after the first quarter, but UTA responded with improved efficiency on both ends of the floor in the second.
Tarleton State responded in the third, outscoring UTA 22-11 to flip the game and take a 44-36 lead into the fourth. The Texans shot 7-of-13 from the floor in the period and used timely perimeter shooting to create separation after the Mavericks had led for much of the opening half.
UTA continued to fight in the fourth and got within striking distance late, but Tarleton State was able to close it out at the free-throw line and hold on down the stretch.
UT Arlington shot 40.0 percent, 22-55 from the floor, matching Tarleton State's percentage, but the Texans knocked down seven 3-pointers compared to one for the Mavericks. Tarleton State also finished with a 37-32 edge on the glass.
Jakoriah Long led the Texans with 19 points, while
Gia Adams added 14 and Kennedy Jones finished with 10.
"But we've got to continue to grow, and we will, Coach Wright said. I think it starts with me, I'm going to instill confidence in my team...This is a game of runs. You're going to have highs and lows in games, but competitors show up at the moment, " head coach Wright said.
NOTEWORTHY
- Atchison finished with a team-high 17 points.
- Bello grabbed a team-best seven rebounds.
- Robinson and Reynolds each added nine points for the Mavericks.
UP NEXT:
The Lady Mavs return home for Senior Day Saturday March 7th to take on Abilene Christian for a 2 p.m. CT tip.
– #BuckEm –