SHERMAN, TX (11.25.17) - The UT Dallas women's basketball team improved to 3-1 on the young season Saturday afternoon as the Comets earned a hard-fought 58-54 road win over Austin College in non-conference play.

After a defensive opening quarter by both teams, the Comets and AC closed the first period tied, 8-8. UTD would open up a six-point lead, 21-15, with 2:50 left before the half on a Mia Spennato jumper, but the 'Roos countered with three late free throws to claw back within three points, 21-18, at the half.

The Comets opened the second half on a 9-2 run to grab their first double-digit lead of the afternoon, 30-20, after a Raenett Hughes lay up with 6:35 left in the third frame. UTD widened its lead to as many as 11 points later in the quarter on a McKenzie Petty three-pointer, but the 'Roos would again respond and cut the UTD lead back to four points, 39-35, heading to the final quarter.

After a back-and-forth start to the fourth frame, Victoria Pena would give back the Comets a double-digit, 50-40, with her only three-pointer of the game with 2:25 left to play. With the Comets up 56-46 with 1:15 remaining, AC rolled off eight straight points over next 35 seconds, capped by a three-pointer from Reagan Chiaverini with 40 ticks left. The 'Roos would miss a go-ahead three-pointer with four seconds remaining and Kelley Skinner iced the win with two late free throws.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS
The Comets held a third opponent this season under 55 points and are now limiting teams to just 54.2 points per game through four contests. UTD held the 'Roos to just 34.0 percent accuracy in the contest and are now limiting teams to just 38.8 percent from the field on the season.

UTD held a 39-30 advantage in rebounding against the 'Roos, 39-30, and have now out-rebounded three of their four opponents this season. The Comets are out-rebounding teams by nearly eight boards per game so far.

KEY PERFORMERS
Pena led the Comets in scoring four the fourth straight game to open the season as she finished the outing with 17 points, nine rebounds and four assists. She was 5-for-10 from the field and hit 6-of-6 free throws. Pena has scored at least 15 points in each game this season and has added a team-best 10.5 rebounds per game as UTD's starting point guard.

Hughes was the only other Comet to reach double figures in the game as she scored a season-high 10 points.

NEXT GAME
The Comets will open American Southwest Conference play Thursday as they host Howard Payne. Game time is 5:30 p.m. at the UTD Activity Center.