RICHARDSON, TX (12.08.10) – The UT Dallas women's basketball team's perfect start is still in tact, but it was anything but easy against a winless Texas Lutheran team that kept things close before falling, 67-54.
Junior Lyndsey Smith erupted for six 3-pointers on her way to 20 points to pace the Comet attack as UTD (8-0, 6-0 ASC) waited until TLU was within a point midway through the second half before pulling away to claim the win.
The Bulldogs (0-6, 0-4 ASC) had cut the Comet lead down to 41-40 with 11:47 left before UTD scored the next 10 points to pull back out to a comfortable 51-40 lead over the next four minutes. TLU never got closer than seven points (56-49 at 3:00) the rest of the way and UTD kept their best start ever to a season alive with an eighth straight win.
After a first half that saw four ties and six lead changes, the Comets edged out to a 32-25 advantage at the half, holding off a late Bulldog charge. Smith had 11 points and was 3-of-7 beyond the arch at intermission.
But the junior from Gunter saved her most important shots for the second half. The Comets gave up a nine-point lead and let TLU tie and go ahead with a 38-36 lead with 13:41 remaining before Smith got the lead back for good 19 seconds later with another three. The Bulldogs fought back to within three (43-40) at the 11:02 mark, but Smith led the Comet answer again - nailing another 3-pointer from the baseline to start the final UTD run to victory.
In addition to Smith, Tawni Ichimura was a factor, scoring 12 points; and leading scorer Tarneisha Scott had another near double-double with 10 points and eight rebounds. Brittany Houston and Katy Spence chipped in seven apiece and Kim Lowery finished with six.
UTD was badly dominated underneath, giving up a 40-27 rebounding edge; but made up for it by forcing 24 turnovers and getting 15 steals.
The Comets are off until next Wednesday when they travel to Sherman for a non-conference rematch with Austin College. UTD's next home game is Dec. 20 against Stevenson University of Maryland.