RICHARDSON, Texas – The UT Dallas women's basketball team erased a 10-point halftime deficit and dominated the final 20 minutes Saturday afternoon, outscoring Colorado School of Mines 53-27 in the second half to claim an 83-67 victory at the UTD Activity Center.
The Comets (2-1) trailed 40-30 at the break after shooting just 29.4 percent in the opening half, but flipped the game with a relentless defensive effort and balanced offensive attack. UTD opened the third quarter on an 11-2 run to quickly cut the deficit and eventually carried a 55-52 lead over the Orediggers (0-2) into the fourth.
Trailing 42-32 with 8:35 remaining in the third period, the Comets chipped away behind baskets from Danielle Oyakhire, Umi Otsuka and Olivia Watkins. Watkins tied the score at 44-44 with a pair of free throws before giving UTD its first lead of the half moments later. A steal and fast-break layup by Watkins in the closing seconds of the quarter sent the Comets into the final period ahead by three.
Mines briefly pulled even at 61-61 with 5:35 left in regulation, but the Comets answered with the decisive run. UTD scored 18 of the next 20 points, highlighted by a Watkins three-pointer, a pair of baskets from Jayla Jackson-Allen, a three from Kinley Mears and another from Otsuka to build a 79-63 advantage with under three minutes to play.
The Comets shot 39.1 percent (27-of-69) from the floor, 6-of-23 from outside and 23-of-30 at the free throw line. They also recorded 38 rebounds, 20 assists, four turnovers, nine steals and 10 blocked shots.
The Orediggers shot 42.1 percent (24-of-57) overall, 3-for-9 from three-point range and 16-of-26 at the line with 45 rebounds, 12 assists, 22 turnovers, one steal and 10 blocks.
UT Dallas Notes
- Mears tied her career-high with 22 points and pulled down six rebounds. She hit a trio of three-pointers.
- Watkins finished with 19 points, six boards and a pair of blocks.
- Jackson-Allen posted 11 points, three steals, five rebounds and five assists.
- Oyakhire tied the school record with six blocked shots. She also recorded the fifth double-double of her career with 11 points and 10 rebounds.
- Ellery Sample came up with eight points and two blocks.
- Otsuka finished with seven points, six assists and three steals.
- The Comets only committed four turnovers. In three games this season, they have committed just 16.
Colorado School of Mines Notes
- Sophia Baal led the Orediggers with 23 points, nine rebounds and three blocks.
- Madison Gage had 12 points and six boards.
- Sofia Baldessari recorded 10 points and seven rebounds.
- Lauren Thompson had seven points and four assists.
- Jade Leon recorded six points and seven rebounds.
Up Next
UT Dallas will travel to Oklahoma Baptist in Shawnee on Tuesday for a 7 p.m. tip-off.
