RICHARDSON, TX (12.08.18) - The No. 18-ranked UT Dallas women's basketball team was handed their first American Southwest Conference loss of the season Saturday afternoon as the Comets fell to No. 17-ranked Mary Hardin-Baylor, 75-70, in a battle between the two ASC divisional champions from a year ago.

With the loss, the Comets fell to 6-2 overall and are now 3-1 in ASC play heading into a short break for finals. UTD returns to action Tuesday, Dec. 18, when the Comets open a two-game road trip to Abilene against Hardin-Simmons. Tip-off is 1 p.m.

The Comets struggled inside in their second game of the season against a nationally ranked opponent, getting out-scored in the paint by UMHB, 46-26. The Cru shot nearly 50 percent from the floor (30-of-61), taking just eight three-point attempts on the afternoon. UTD was 27-of-63 (42.9%) from the floor, connecting on 10-of-20 three-pointers (50%).

Trailing by four points after three quarters of play, UTD used a 7-0 run early in the fourth to grab a one-point advantage, 59-58, with 6:23 left to play. The Comets would then extend their lead to as many as five points, 68-63, two minutes later thanks to back-to-back three-pointers by Kelley Skinner and Mia Spennato. Spennato would end the game 4-for-5 from three-point range for a season-high 12 points.

However, the Cru (8-0, 3-0 ASC) responded with a 6-0 run of their own to regain a one-point lead, 69-63, with 1:51 remaining after a Kendall Rollins lay up. UTD regained the lead on its next trip down the floor with a Alexa Boushey lay up, but would be held scoreless over the final minute as the Cru went 4-for-4 from the line in the final 19 seconds.

Victoria Pena led all scorers with 22 points, hitting 8-of-18 shots with four three-pointers.Pena added seven rebounds and a game-high six assists. Raenett Hughes gave the Comets three players in double figures with 11 points along with a game-high eight rebounds.