RICHARDSON, TX (01.14.21) - The UT Dallas women's basketball team suffered just its second loss of the season Thursday night, falling to rival East Texas Baptist, 47-44, in a battle between American Southwest Conference East Division leaders.
The Comets (now 6-2, 2-1 ASC) again found themselves trailing an opponent at the break and clawed back through a defensive second half only to fall short of their third consecutive comeback victory. With the win, ETBU remained unbeaten at 11-0 overall and share the ASC East lead, now at 3-0.
UTD held a slim one-point lead after the opening period, 16-15, but a 1-for-12 shooting performance in the second quarter totaling just five points sent the Comets into the locker room trailing ETBU, 29-21. Thanks to back-to-back three-point plays by
Raenett Hughes early in the third frame, the Comets trimmed the deficit to just three points at the 7:20 mark of the quarter. But after a Tiger surge, UTD would not get back within a possession until the final quarter.
With 6:55 left to play,
Anna Jefferson-Polk drew UTD within two points, 41-39, after a pair of free throws, but the Tigers responded with a driving lay up by Hanna Hudson on their next possession. Neither team would score again until the 3:05 mark when Mallory Stephens pushed ETBU's lead to six points, 45-39. Another three-point play by Hughes again drew the Comets within three, but ETBU again answered, this time with a put back by Mollie Dittmar.
Kelley Skinner cut the ETBU lead back to three points with 1:22 on the clock with a lay up and the Comets were able to hold the Tigers scoreless on their next two trips down the floor, setting up a possible game-winning shot in the final seconds. However, Skinner's field goal proved to be the final basket of the contest.
Hughes led all scorers with 15 points while adding six rebounds and two assists. Jefferson-Polk and
Paris Brinkley came off the bench for nine and eight points, respectively. Skinner led the Comets with nine rebounds.
The Comets return to action Saturday afternoon to wrap up their four-game home stand against ASC East co-leader LeTourneau (7-1, 3-0 ASC). Tip-off is 1 p.m. at the UTD Activity Center.
