UTA Women Lose At Troy

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TROY, Alabama – UT Arlington’s five-game winning streak came to an end at the hands of Troy on Monday night as the Trojans prevailed 70-63 at Trojan Arena.

The Lady Mavericks (8-4) dropped to 2-1 in Sun Belt Conference play and lost for the first time since Dec. 4. UTA shot just 33 percent in the loss and was unable to answer Troy’s 16-0 run in the first half that put the Trojans up good.

“We have to do a better job to execute the game plan,” UT Arlington coach Krista Gerlich said. “We have to figure out how to knock down open looks and have people knock down shots. It may be good for us to refocus. We have to learn that we have to execute and be focused on what we are doing.”

UT Arlington was able to get as six points in the second-half after trailing by as many as 14. However, Troy was able to match each Lady Mavs’ comeback attempt.

Troy’s 70 points were the most UTA has given up since 73 against Houston on Nov. 16. UTA entered giving up just 48.9 points per game.

Junior LaShanda Green was a bright spot for UTA offensively, and was

one of two Lady Mavs to reach double-digit scoring. Green scored a career-high 19 points, 16 coming in the second half. Senior Tahlia Pope had 10 points and freshman Rebekah Van Dijk led the UTA with 10 boards.

The Lady Mavs opened the game appearing to find their stride on offense. UTA led the game 9-2 and were efficient in doing so.

Troy’s Rachel Reid got hot offensively and scored nine of Troy’s 16 points during the game-defining run that saw the Lady Mavs go without a field-goal for more than six minutes.

“I didn’t think that we followed our game plan very well,” Gerlich said. “We obviously weren’t getting back and they were getting easy buckets, and that is what got them back in it. “

Van Dijk and Morgan Holly helped close the gap to 29-23 at the halftime break. UTA shot just 24.2 percent in the first half.

UTA got within four points to begin the second half with buckets by Van Dijk and Holly. However, Troy’s leading scorer Ashley Beverly-Kelley (17 points) came alive.