CANYON, Texas - The UT Dallas women's basketball team nearly overcame a 14-point deficit in a 68-61 defeat to #8 West Texas A&M at the First United Bank Center Thursday night.
The Lady Buffs (22-3, 14-2 Lone Star Conference) jumped out to a 10-0 lead, but the Comets (10-11, 7-7 LSC) managed to cut it down to 17-12 by the end of the first quarter. WT took a nine-point advantage into the break.
At the 1:58 mark in the 3rd, UTD trailed 46-32. They outscored the home team 25-19 in the final period on 50 percent shooting. Down 54-43 with 6:06 remaining, the Comets went on a 15-4 run over the next four minutes to be down 60-58.
A lay-up and a pair of free throws gave the Lady Buffs a 64-58 lead with 37 seconds left. Freshman Clara Payntner hit a quick three-pointer to cut the deficit to three points on the next possession. Kayla Kane made a lay-up, which was followed by a UTD miss and a final basket by WT to secure the seven-point victory.
For the game, the Comets shot 37.5 percent (21-of-56) from the field, 6-of-17 from three-point range and a perfect 13-of-13 at the line. They also recorded 33 rebounds, 11 assists, 18 turnovers, two blocks and eight steals.
The Lady Buffs shot 42.4 percent (25-of-59) overall, 4-of-21 from outside and 14-of-22 at the line with 39 rebounds, 16 assists, 15 turnovers, five blocks and nine steals.
UT Dallas Performances
- The 13-for-13 performance at the free throw line was the second-most made without a miss in program history.
- Junior guard
Umi Otsuka led the Comets with 19 points with five boards. She was 6-for-6 at the charity stripe.
- Freshman
Danielle Oyakhire had 14 points on 7-of-10 shooting, and grabbed five rebounds.
- Senior forward
Addy Self finished with 10 points, seven rebounds, three assists, one blocked shot and three steals.
- Paynter hit a pair of three-pointers for six points.
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Kinley Mears added five points and five assists.
West Texas A&M Performances
- Randi Harding led the Lady Buffs with 14 points.
- Taylor Haggan had a double-double of 12 points and 12 rebounds with three assists and three steals.
- Kane finished with eight points and 10 rebounds.
- Taytum Bell had nine points off the bench.
- Kenadee Winfrey recorded seven points, four assists and two steals.
Up Next
The Comets will play at Eastern New Mexico in Portales on Saturday.
