>>02.09.06
Comets Back In Hunt After Topping AC
UTD 59, Austin College 45

SHERMAN, TX - The University of Texas at Dallas women's basketball team put the American Southwest Conference East Division playoff chase back into a dead-even heat Thursday night with a 59-45 road win over Austin College.

The win stopped a two-game slide for the Comets (11-11 overall), but more importantly, tied UTD up with Austin College and University of the Ozarks - all with 10-9 ASC records with just three games to play. The Comets can put themselves in prime position to claim the program's first-ever post-season berth with a win at the University of the Ozarks on Saturday.

Dani Barnett (pictured) led the Comets with an 18-point performance, and hit two big baskets during an early second-half run that brought UTD back from a six-point hole (31-25) to tie the game at 36-36 with 12:31 remaining. Jen Longoria, who finished with 12 points, also had a three-pointer during that run.

After tying the score at 36-36, the Comets went on a 15-4 run over the next eight minutes to open up a 51-41 advantage with 4:59 left in the game. Austin College then ruined any chance it had of rallying again by going scoreless in the game's final 3:49. UTD outscored AC, 34-18, in the second period.

The Comets clamped down on defense in the game, holding the Lady 'Roos to just 33.3% shooting and forcing 25 turnovers.

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