STEPHENVILLE, Texas – The first three quarters of Saturday's WAC basketball doubleheader at Wisdom Gym were as riveting as they come, and they seemingly set up an epic finish between Tarleton and UT Arlington. But 21 fouls in the final frame meant 32 free throw attempts in the quarter, and the once barn burner turned into a slog that UTA pulled out late 76-70.
 
The Texans (7-10, 1-5 WAC) were swept by the Lady Mavericks (8-10, 2-4 WAC) in a two-week stretch to lose for the sixth time in seven games, although just the second time at Wisdom Gym this season (6-2).
 
Tarleton struggled offensively out of the gate, scoring five points over the first 7:30 to trail by 10. UTA won the first quarter 17-9, then held their biggest lead of 11 with five minutes left in the second quarter, 28-17. From there, Tarleton picked up momentum. Jenna Dick nailed a three shortly before the halftime buzzer to cut Tarleton's deficit to four at the break, 32-28.
 
In a tight third quarter throughout, the Texans broke through for their first lead with 1:39 left in the frame, 43-41. Mason Jones hit a long ball just before the third quarter buzzer to put Tarleton up four entering the fourth 46-42.
 
Unfortunately, in the final 10 minutes, whistles were incessant. UTA had 18 free throw attempts in the fourth quarter, making 16 of them, after entering the quarter with 17 through the first three quarters. Tarleton, who had seven free throw attempts in the first three quarters, got sent to the charity stripe 14 times in the fourth, making 12.
 
The Texans led by six early in the fourth quarter. From the 8:14 mark on to the 4:07 mark, neither team led by more than one possession. Down six with 3:20 left, Tarleton used Mayra Caicedo and Teresa Da Silva free throws, plus a Caicedo layup to tie the game at 63. In a tied game with less than a minute left, UTA's Shyia Smith had an and-one to put the Lady Mavericks up three. UTA then made seven straight free throws in the last 45 seconds to preserve the win.
 
UTA outshot Tarleton 24-of-57 (.421) to 24-of-64 (.375). The Lady Mavericks attempted just six three-point shots on the day, making one (.167), including none in the second half. Tarleton's percentage wasn't much better (5-of-28, .179). UTA outrebounded Tarleton 45-33 and made 27-of-35 free throws.
 
Down another big body with Starr Omozee out with an injury, Tarleton turned to Elise Turrubiates to take on the load, and she excelled in the role. Turrubiates scored a career-high 25 points on 8-of-14 shooting, plus 9-of-11 from the charity stripe, adding five rebounds in 31 minutes off the bench. She surpassed her previous career-high of 14 points scored vs. UNT Dallas on Nov. 12.
 
Da Silva and Caicedo also reached double-digit scoring, with Da Silva recording 16 points (5-10 FG, 4-7 3PT) and two rebounds. Caicedo had 13 points, a season-high seven assists, and a tied-season-high four steals. Jones made her second straight start and tallied seven points, four assists and three rebounds. Viktoria Ivanova notched nine points and nine rebounds in 19 minutes off the bench.
 
UTA was led by Starr Jacobs' double-double at 19 points (7-13 FG), 10 rebounds and three steals. Smith had a team-high 20 points (5-5 FG, 10-11 FT), plus five rebounds. Kamaria Gipson led the reserves with 14 points on 7-of-9 shooting, to go with three rebounds. Kayla White also chipped in 10 points.
 
The Texans will wrap up their three-game homestand on Thursday against Sam Houston at 6 p.m. CT.