RICHARDSON, TX (01.12.19) - The No. 22-ranked UT Dallas women's basketball team posted its best defensive performance of the season Saturday afternoon as the Comets rolled to an 85-42 home win over LeTourneau in American Southwest Conference East Division play.

The Comets (11-4, 6-2 ASC) forced 17 first-half turnovers en route to a 40-8 lead over the visiting YellowJackets to move into a tie for first place in the ASC East after their fifth win in five outings. UTD held LeTourneau to just one free throw in the first quarter and held the YellowJackets to just 3-for-21 accuracy in the opening 20 minutes of the contest.

UTD finished the blowout shooting 44.6 percent (33-of-74) from the floor as a team, connecting on 8-of-18 three-pointers (44.4%), and shooting 64.7 percent (11-of-17) from the foul line. The Comets dominated the boards as well, out-rebounding LETU, 48-28, and closed out the contest by forcing 24 turnovers.

All 18 players saw action in the lop-sided victory with 15 players scoring at least one point. Victoria Pena led the balanced attack with a team-high 14 points, hitting three three-pointers, while adding six rebounds and six assists in just 20 minutes of action. Fellow starter Raenett Hughes and reserve Mia Spennato each added 10 points to round out the Comets in double figures. Katie Gunther finished with nine points along with a team-best seven rebounds.

After five straight home games, the Comets will hit the road for four consecutive contests, starting Thursday at rival Texas-Tyler. Tip-off is 5:30 p.m. in Tyler.