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January 17, 2006

Women’s Basketball

Mavs dominate with fast start

Women crush competition during the break to rise to the top of the conference.

Story by: Megan Magaña

The Shorthorn staff

The Shorthorn: Rebekah Workman

UTA junior guard Terra Wallace shoots over Lamar defenders Janique Garrett, left, and Aida Bakhos on Saturday in Texas Hall. Wallace had 15 points and eight rebounds in the Mavs’ 78-41 victory.

After an 8-3 record over the break, the Mavericks women’s basketball team is undefeated in conference play, including a crushing win against Lamar at Texas Hall on Saturday.

The Lady Cardinals never stood a chance in the 78-41 victory. Through most of the first half Lamar had as many or more turnovers than points.

Forward Tojjinay Thompson should have rented a small condo north of the arch as she connected all four attempted three-pointers.

Thompson said she felt more relaxed during this game than she has in the past.

“It was just there,” she said.

She led the Mavs with a career-high 20 points and was one of four players in double figures.

Head coach Donna Capps said the team played super defense, grabbing 44 rebounds and committing only seven turnovers the entire game, compared to LU’s 17.

In the first half, UTA held LU to 5-18 shooting while going 16-35. UTA had a 24-point lead at halftime and continued its momentum through the remainder of the game. Toward the end of the first half, the team attempted to run out the clock.

UTA shot 50 percent in the second half and had the game sealed long before the last buzzer. Lamar fell behind by as many as 40 points at times, and even a 14-point flurry by guard LaToya Carson couldn’t get the Lady Cardinals out of the hole.

The Mavericks also had success over the break in nonconference contests. The team traveled to Orlando for the University of Central Florida Holiday Classic tournament on Dec. 17. The Mavs won the tournament with victories against Troy and host school UCF, where solid defense limited the Golden Knights to more turnovers than points in a 65-22 loss.

The Mavs lost at TCU, ending their series against non-conference opponents. Guard Erin Dixon suffered a concussion in that game. Capps said Dixon has been released to condition, and the team is hoping she is released to practice soon.

Capps said the tough non-conference games are preparation for the conference opponents.

“That’s what they’re for,” she said. “We play a tough schedule on purpose.”

She said the team is beginning to gel with eight new freshmen.

“Our offense is starting to be real patient,” she said.

Capps said she thinks the team can still improve on shooting, free throws and rebounding on both ends of the floor.

The Mavs are perfect in conference play and tied atop the standings with Stephen F. Austin.

“We love our start,” Capps said.

Guard Terra Wallace won Southland Conference Player of the Week on Dec. 5 and Dec. 19 and scored a career-high 31 points against Troy. In four conference games, the Mavs have defeated their opponents by a combined 77 points.

Thompson said the whole team has done well.

“We’re going to be tough to beat,” she said.

CORRECTION

The story should have stated that the Mavericks women’s basketball team’s record over the break was 9-3.