MARSHALL, TX (01.09.20) - Comet guard Raenett Hughes became the fourth player in program history to score 1,000 career points but the junior's game-high 20 points would not be enough Thursday night as the No. 25-ranked UT Dallas women's basketball team dropped a 58-54 decision a rival t East Texas Baptist in American Southwest Conference East Division play.

Down eight points at the break, the Comets (now 9-4, 3-1 ASC) trimmed the ETBU lead to a single point on multiple occasions in the fourth quarter, the last time coming in the final minute after a Maddie Edler three-pointer. However, the host Tigers hit 3-of-4 free throws down the stretch while forcing a costly Comet turnover to snap UTD's eight-game winning streak.

Hughes was just 5-for-11 from the field but added an 10-for-11 performance from the foul line to end the night one of two Comets in double figures. She added five rebounds, five steals and four assist for UTD. Kelley Skinner added 11 points while Natalie Miller led the squad with six boards.

The Comets forced 29 ETBU turnovers in the contest but could not overcome 32.7 percent shooting from the field, closing the loss just 18-of-55 as a team from the floor. UTD was only 5-for-15 (33.3%) from three-point range, but hit 13-of-17 (76.5%) free shots.

The two teams traded leads in the opening period before the Tigers (now 8-4, 2-1 ASC) would open the second quarter on an 8-1 run to grab their largest lead of the night, 24-12, with just over five minutes left before halftime. The Comets clawed back and cut the lead to eight points at the break, 31-23, after two late Hughes free throws.

The Comets began their charge back late in the third period and would cut the lead in half by the start of the fourth, trailing ETBU just 46-42 heading into the final 10 minutes. UTD trimmed the Tiger advantage to just one point, 48-47, on a Nkechinyerem Okehi lay up with 5:11 on the clock, but ETBU responded with a bucket from Amanda Wilson on the Tigers' next possession.

Edler would cut the Tiger back to a single point again with just under three minutes remaining, 52-51, but ETBU would pull back ahead by four points over the next two minutes, setting up Edler's trey from the right corner to draw the Comets again within a single point, 55-54, with 48 seconds left on the clock. 

The Comets regained the ball down just two points after a missed free throw by ETBU, but a costly travel with four seconds left handed the Tigers back the ball and their would seal the win with two free throws by Taylor Singleton.

Hughes now has 1,010 career points in her third year with the Comets and ranks fourth all-time behind two Hall of Famers and teammate Victoria Pena. Thursday night marked the first time in program history in which 1,000-point scorers played in the same contest.

The Comets will look to bounce back Saturday afternoon when they visit LeTourneau. Tip-off is 1 p.m. in Longview.