ARLINGTON, Texas – The first half was neck-and-neck between Tarleton State and UT Arlington at the College Park Center on Thursday night, but the third quarter was all Lady Mavs as they won the first game of the WAC restart over the Texans.
Tarleton (4-8, 1-2 WAC) fell 73-49 in Arlington, finishing their four-game road trip 2-2. UTA (5-8, 1-2 WAC) won their fourth straight game after starting the year 1-8 overall.
It was a 28-25 contest at the break. After Tarleton tied it 30-30, UTA raced out to a 13-0 run, finishing the quarter on a 26-6 marathon to win the quarter 28-11 and take a 20-point lead. The Lady Mavs made 11-of-18 (.611) in the frame while Tarleton shot 4-of-12 (.333).
Jakoriah Long led the Texans with 13 points, adding two rebounds, two assists and two steals. The reigning WAC Player and Newcomer of the Week
Faith Acker pulled down 10 rebounds, adding eight points and three assists.
Tyler Jackson tallied nine points, three rebounds and two assists.
Lexi Bull made her third start of the season and notched five points and nine rebounds.
Overall, UTA outshot Tarleton 28-of-60 (.467) to 17-of-58 (.293) and outrebounded them 45-35.
Teams traded the lead throughout the opening frame, with neither leading by more than four. UTA led by a point after one, 14-13. The same was true in the second quarter as well, and the Lady Mavs took a 28-25 lead into the break. After the one-sided third quarter, UTA maintained about a 20-point lead throughout the fourth.
Four Lady Mavs starters scored in double figures, led by Adela Valkova's 15 points, eight rebounds, four blocks and three assists. Avery Brittingham recorded 13 points on 5-of-10 shooting, six rebounds, three assists and three steals. Taliyah Clark finished with 13 points on 4-of-6 shooting and three rebounds. Gia Adams notched 10 points and five assists.
Tarleton State will have a weeklong break for the last time until mid-February, as they'll host California Baptist on Jan. 11 at 7 p.m. at Wisdom Gym. The game, sponsored by Tikiz, will be a Purple Out, with early-arriving fans receiving purple shirts and all others encouraged to don Tarleton's signature color.
