>>01.26.06
Comets Need Second Half Rally, Shutdown Defense To Stop LETU in OT
UTD 82, LETU 75 (OT)

LONGVIEW, TX - The University of Texas at Dallas women's basketball team survived a poor shooting night, a 10-point second-half deficit and a dramatic pair of game-tying opposing free throws with :02 left in regulation Thursday night before shutting down the LeTourneau LadyJackets in overtime to bring home an 82-75 victory.

UTD outscored LETU, 14-7, in the overtime period, giving up just one bucket from the floor to improve to 9-7, 8-5 in ASC East Division play and remain in the thick of the race for a post-season conference tournament berth. LETU dropped to 6-11, 4-11.

Danielle Barnett (pictured) led the Comets with a double-double performance, scoring a season-high 28 points while pulling down 11 rebounds. It was the contribution of the UTD bench, however, that made the biggest difference as the Comet reserves came in and scored 31. Kia Jones finished with 14 points and 8 rebounds while sophomore Ericka Baker had her best game of the season with 10 points and 6 boards.

The game was close throughout, featuring 13 lead changes and nine ties. The Comets didn't help matters by hitting only 39% from the field (24-68), and they left 10 points at the free-throw line, hitting just 20 of 30 foul shots. The Lady Jackets connected on 22 of their 26 charity shots as the game featured 44 personal fouls.

The game really never turned UTD's way until late in the second half. LETU, which had come back from a 32-31 halftime deficit, worked its way out to a 10-point, 54-44 lead with 9:32 remaining in the game. Over the next five minutes, though, the Comets staged a 14-4 rally and tied the score at 58-58 with 4:43 left.

In the game's final minute, the Comets repeatedly left the door open for the LadyJackets. With the score tied at 66-66 with :13 left, Cassi Little hit just one of two free throw attempts. Barnett grabbed the missed shot and was fouled herself, but also was only able to hit one of two free shots. That left the Comets up by just two points (68-66) with :12 seconds left. Little was then called for a foul with :02 left and LETU's Denee McKay sank both of her freebies to send the game into overtime.

The Comets took control from that point. In the first minute of the extra period, UTD scored on its first two trips down the floor to go up, 72-68, and never let LeTourneau back in the game. The LadyJackets connected on just one of nine shots from the floor in the extra period.

BOXSCORE