MARSHALL, TX (02.26.22) - The 2021-22 season for the UT Dallas women's basketball team likely came to a close Saturday night with a 64-54 loss to No. 25-ranked Hardin-Simmons in the title game of the ASC Championship Tournament, held at Ornelas Gym on the campus of East Texas Baptist.
 
ASC TOURNAMENT CENTRAL
 
After three strong showings at the ASC Tournament this weekend, including a win over regular-season champion and nationally ranked Mary Hardin-Baylor in the semifinals, the Comets (15-8) will learn Monday afternoon if they have the resume to earn on of the at-large berths into the NCAA D-III National Championship. The 64-team field for the event will be announced Monday at 1:30 p.m. (Central) on www.ncaa.com.
 
The No. 4-seeded Comets struggled from the field in the title tilt, shooting just 28.6 percent as a team, but still remained within striking range of HSU until the final period. After a defensive first half, UTD trailed the third-seeded Cowgirls, 27-22, only after a late three-pointer by HSU's Kylie Ellsworth.
 
Paris Kiser drained a trey for the Comets with 8:42 left in the third to draw UTD back within a single possession, 30-27, but HSU limited the Comets to a single field goal over the next six minutes, extending its lead to 11 points, 40-29, with 2:29 in the period. The Cowgirls entered the final stanza with a 45-36 advantage.
 
Jordan Rudd and Maddie Edler drained treys on the Comets' first two possessions of the fourth to trim the deficit to five points, 47-42. However, HSU answered with back-to-back three-pointers of its own to push the Cowgirls' lead to double digits. The Comets did not get closer than eight points for the rest of the contest.
 
Rudd led the Comets with a season-high 16 points on 6-of-14 shooting with two three-pointers, while adding six rebounds and two steals. Kiser added 11 points for the only other UTD player in double figures. Alex Bowman led the Comets with seven rebounds.
 
Rudd and Bowman were both named to the All-Tournament Team at the conclusion of the championship game.
 
The Comets were making their 16th straight appearance in the ASC Tournament and advanced to the league title game for the fifth time in program history.