TYLER, TX (01.17.19) - The No. 23 UT Dallas women's basketball team limited rival Texas-Tyler to just four points over the final eight minutes as the Comets pulled away for an 84-58 road win over the host Patriots.

With their third straight victory, the Comets improved to 12-4 on the season and will return to American Southwest Conference East Division play Saturday afternoon when they visit Ozarks. Tip-off is 1 p.m. in Clarksville, Ark.

Victoria Pena led all scorers with 20 points, hitting four three-pointers, while adding five rebounds, five assists and three steals. The trio of Raenett Hughes, Katie Gunther and Mia Spennato each pitched in 12 points to round out four players in double digits for UTD. Skinner matched Pena's team-high with five rebounds of her own.

The Comets got off to a hot start, scoring 26 points in the opening quarter to set the tone for the evening. UTD would snag a 42-34 lead over the Patriots at the break.

Leading 59-47 heading into the final period, the Comets would extend their lead back to 17 points with 8:33 remaining on a Natalie Miller lay up, but UTT drew back within 12 points less than a minute later, 66-54, after two quick scores sandwiched around a Comet turnover.

The UTD defense then clamped down as the Patriots hit just 1-of-7 over the final 7:51, adding just two free throws, as the Comets finished the game on an 18-4 run.

The Comets finished the night shooting 50.8 percent (31-of-61) from the field, hitting a season-high 14 three-pointers, and shot 61.5 percent (8-of-13) from the free-throw line. UTD out-rebounded the Patriots, 29-24, and forced 19 turnovers.