Redshirt sophomore guard Amiyah Reynolds attempts to evade defense during a game against Abilene Christian University on Feb. 12 at College Park Center. Reynolds had two assists.
UTA women’s basketball (10-14) fell 72-63 in a conference showdown against Abilene Christian University (18-7) Thursday at College Park Center.
The Lady Mavericks went into the game looking to push their win streak to three games. UTA has been successful at home, going 7-3, but has struggled in away bouts, with a 1-10 record on the road.
Abilene Christian pushed ahead and tightened its grasp on second place in the Western Athletic Conference, eyeing the top seat as first-place California Baptist University saw an end to its 10-1 conference run Thursday against Southern Utah University.
Freshman forward Kira Reynolds attempts a layup during a game against Abilene Christian University on Feb. 12 at College Park Center. Reynolds had 13 points and six rebounds.
From tipoff, UTA struggled as Abilene Christian held them to just nine points in the first quarter on 33% shooting from the field. ACU junior guard Payton Hull was hot in the first half with 16 points on 70% shooting from the field.
UTA gained momentum in the second quarter and ignited the pulse in the stadium with timely baskets, capped by a last-second basket from senior guard Nya Threatt to bring UTA within four, trailing 32-28 into the half.
Redshirt senior forward Laura Bello prepares for a free throw during a game against Abilene Christian University on Feb. 12 at College Park Center. Bello had three blocks.
The third quarter was tightly contested throughout, as neither team was able to pull away, with ACU narrowly leading 53-48 going into the fourth quarter. UTA freshman forward Kira Reynolds went down with an injury midway through the third but returned to the game.
The Lady Mavericks ultimately could not get over the hump, as their untimely and unforced mistakes came back to bite them. The team accumulated 28 turnovers in the 72-63 loss.
Sophomore guard Kendal Robinson attempts a layup during a game against Abilene Christian University on Feb. 12 at College Park Center. Robinson scored 15 points.
Head coach Shereka Wright liked what she saw from the team’s press defense and said the season is not over and these losses happen when getting closer to the conference championship. Wright said she wants the team to finish strong to propel them going into March.
Sophomore guard Kendal Robinson led UTA in scoring with 15 points, a career high, and Threatt finished the contest with 13 points. ACU was led by Hull, who finished with 24 points, and senior guard Natalia Chavez followed behind with 14.
“I needed to slow down more and just actually see the game,” Robinson said. “That’s one of my biggest things from last year to this year.”
Wright said it is important to finish strong and execute. She said the team has to continue to get better and understand the importance of its identity.
“They just out-toughed us tonight, and I just talked to our team about that. That can’t happen moving forward,” Wright said. “We got to be gritty. Nobody feels sorry for you, I’m not going to feel sorry for myself, I’m going to continue to find solutions.”
Students show their Maverick spirit during a game against Abilene Christian University on Feb. 12 at College Park Center. The team lost 72-63.
The Lady Mavericks will travel for their next game to play Southern Utah at 3 p.m. Saturday at the America First Event Center in Cedar City, Utah. The game will be available to stream on ESPN+.
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