RICHARDSON, TX (01.18.18) - The UT Dallas women's basketball team extended its winning to streak to eight games Thursday night with a 55-48 home win over rival Texas-Tyler in American Southwest Conference East Division play.

The Comets remained atop the ASC East standings after holding visiting UTT to 4-of-22 shooting from three-point range. UTD overcame a season-high 28 turnovers, 20 in the opening half, thanks to a 15-for-19 team performance from the free throw line.

After a sluggish start by both teams in the opening quarter, combining for 21 turnovers over the first 10 minutes, the Patriots held a slim 12-11 lead heading to the second period. Both teams would suffer scoring droughts in the second quarter before Victoria Pena score four points in the final 45 seconds of the half to lift the Comets to a 24-21 at the break.

The Comets then rolled out of the locker room on fire, opening the third frame with an 8-0 run to grab a 32-21 lead after a Pena lay up with 6:38 on the clock. The Patriots would not get closer than three points for the remainder of the contest, that coming with 48 seconds remaining at 51-48. UTD would finish the game 4-of-6 from the line over the final 29 seconds to ice the Comets' third straight victory over their rivals.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS
The Comets shot just 35.8 percent (19-of-53) from the field for the contest, hitting just 2-of-13 three-pointers (15.4), but dominated the boards, 45-32. UTD would finish the night scoring 14 points off of 24 Patriot turnovers and outscored UTT in the paint, 30-26.

The top scoring defense in the ASC, UTD held a fifth straight opponent under 60 points. The Comets are now allowing just 52.7 points per game through 15 contests. UTD held the Patriots to just 32.3 percent (20-of-62) from the floor.

KEY PERFORMERS
Pena finished the night with a game-high 23 points and 11 rebounds, recording her fourth 'double-double' of the season. The reigning ASC East Player of the Week was 7-for-17 form the floor, hitting two treys, and hit 7-of-8 free throws. She added a game-high four assists and had three steals.

McKenzie Petty added nine points and six rebounds while Kelley Skinner had eight points and a game-high five steals.

NEXT GAME
The Comets (13-2, 7-1 ASC) will remain at home this weekend as they host Ozarks this Saturday afternoon in another ASC East outing. Game time is 2 p.m. at the UTD Activity Center.