ARLINGTON, Texas -  McMurry University's women's basketball team took on the University of Texas –Arlington in the first of two-consecutive road games versus NCAA Division I foes, suffering a 82-25 loss at the College Park Center.
 
The loss left the War Hawks – who are reclassifying to NCAA Division III - with a record of 1-11 on the year, while the Mavericks - members of the Sun Belt Conference - improved to 5-3.
 
The Mavericks used their superior height and depth to control matters from the outset. UTA forced 14 turnovers and had five blocked shots against the War Hawks in the first half alone. The result was a 19-0 lead by the hosts to open the game. McMurry was finally able to convert its first field goal on a layup by Adijatu Disu at the 10:43 juncture of the opening period.
 
UTA kept building on its advantage in the first half, eventually carrying a 49-8 margin into the halftime locker room.
 
The War Hawks committed 21 turnovers for the game and were blocked nine times. McM shot just 16.7 percent (10-60) from the field and found itself out-rebounded, 55-41. Conversely, the Lady Mavericks shot better than 44 percent (32-72) and hit 12 buckets from beyond the arc (just one shy of their school single game record).
 
UTA also held a big differential in bench scoring, 35-2, over the depleted War Hawks' reserves. McM was able to suit up just nine healthy players for the bout.
 
Sophomore Haley Welch led McMurry's scoring with eight points, while Disu finished with six. Welch also grabbed five rebounds.
 
Mishae Roper topped the War Hawks with a season-high 11 rebound effort. Taylor Russell and Tayler Boroson had seven caroms each.
 
McMurry will next face another NCAA I opponent when it travels to Houston Baptist University on Friday (Dec. 19) evening. Tipoff is slated for 6 p.m. in Houston.