PINEVILLE, LA (02.15.20) - The No. 20-ranked UT Dallas women's basketball team used a dominant second half to put away Louisiana College, 71-40, Saturday afternoon to lock up at least a share of a fourth consecutive American Southwest Conference East Division title.

The Comets (now 19-4, 13-1 ASC) forced 35 turnovers by the host Wildcats while holding LC to just 24 percent shooting for the contest. Leading by just two points at the break, UTD blasted the Wildcats, 21-9, in the third period and dominated LC, 27-10, in the final frame to secure a fifth-ever divisional crown.

Raenett Hughes led the Comets in scoring with 21 points, hitting 8-of-11 shots, while adding six rebounds, five steals and four assists. Kelley Skinner added 13 points as the only other UTD player in double figures while Natalie Miller scored nine points. Skinner matched Hughes' team high with six boards of her own.

UTD jumped out to an early 16-5 lead in the first quarter after a basket by Nkechinyerem Okehi with 1:56 remaining in the quarter, but a Wildcat run ended the quarter with a 16-11 Comet lead. UTD would allow just seven first-half field goals in total, but could not push the league back to double digits by the end of the half as it took a 23-21 lead into the locker room.

The Comets found its rhythm in the third frame as they would use a 35-4 run spanning the final two quarters to propel them to their fifth 30-point victory of the season.

UTD finished the game shooting 46.4 percent (26-of-56) as a team while making 7-of-24 three-pointers (29.2%). The Comets made an efficient 12-of-15 free throws (80%).

The Comets, who currently hold a two-game lead in the ASC East with just two games left in the regular season, can lock down the outright division title Thursday night when they host ASC West leader Hardin-Simmons. Tip-off is 5:30 p.m. at the UTD Activity Center.