RICHARDSON, TX (01.05.19) - The No. 19-ranked UT Dallas women's basketball team nearly pulled off one of the top upset of the 2018-19 season Saturday afternoon before falling to unbeaten and No. 2-ranked Thomas More, 78-75, at the UTD Activity Center.

With the loss, UTD drops to 9-4 overall as the Comets close out non-conference play. The Saints, an NCAA Division III semifinalist from a year ago, improved to 21-0 to continue to lead all NCAA divisions in victories.

The Comets used a strong second period to turn a six-point deficit into a four-point halftime lead over the visiting Saints, who entered Saturday's contest without trailing the break in any of their previous 20 outings this season. After a 30-point second quarter, UTD led the Saints, 42-38, at intermission and then scored first four points of the third quarter to snag a nine-point advantage, 47-38, the Comets' largest of the afternoon. UTD held off the Saints for most of the period before heading to the final stanza tied TMU, 59-59.

The Saints took their first lead since midway through the second quarter with 7:50 left to play when Madison Temple used an old-fashion three-point play to TMU a 62-61 lead. The Comets answered with a pair of free throws by Katie Gunther on their next possession, setting up six lead changes over the final 10 minutes.With 1:07 on the clock, UTD extended a lead back to four points, 74-70, after a Raenett Hughes running jumper and seem to have the Saints on the ropes. However, Temple would hit one of two free shots and then a fast-break lay up with 22 seconds remaining to draw TMU within a point. 

The Comets could not handle the TMU press on the inbounds pass as Temple corralled a loose ball and Shelby Rupp lifted the Saints to a 75-74 lead with 12 seconds left with a lay up. UTD would call time out to advance the ball but would again struggle with the Saint defense, giving up the ball at mid-court on the inbounds play. Rupp hit just one foul shot, however, giving the Comets another chance, down just two points, 76-74.

Alexa Boushey surged her way to the line after a hard foul by Temple under the bucket, but missed the first shot. After a successful second shot by Boushey, TMU's Briana McNutt hit two free throws after a quick Comet foul. A last-second three-pointer to send the game to overtime from Boushey hit off front iron as the Saints completed the comeback to keep their winning streak alive.

UTD finished the game shooting 39.7 percent (27-of-68) from the field, connecting on just 4-of-25 three-pointers (16%), and shot 70.8 percent (17-of-24) from free-throw line. In the second quarter, the Comets were 10-of-18 as a team, hitting two of their four treys during the period. 

Hughes led the Comets with 20 points, hitting 8-of-13 shots, while adding eight rebounds, five assists and a pair of steals. Victoria Pena added 14 points and a game-high six assists while Boushey had 12 points and Gunther had 10 points. Traditionally known for defensive battles, the Comets topped 70 points for the fourth straight contest.

For the Saints, Temple led all scorers with 35 points and added 10 rebounds. Rupp had 20 points and a game-high 12 boards. TMU shot 47.1 percent (24-of-51) from the field, making 4-of-11 three-pointers (36.4%), and were 26-of-31 (83.9%) from the charity stripe.

The Comets return to American Southwest Conference play Thursday when they host East Texas Baptist in the squad's East Division opener. Tip-off is set for 5:30 p.m.