ABILENE, Texas -  The McMurry University women's basketball team gave nationally-ranked University of Texas-Dallas a tough battle through the first half, before eventually succumbing to UTD's inside game in the second, 78-51. The War Hawks fell to 2-9 overall and 1-3 in the American Southwest Conference, while the NCAA Division III No. 19-ranked Comets improved to 7-3 on the year and are 4-2 in ASC action.
 
For the first two quarters, the McM squad hung close. UTD enjoyed a 16-11 advantage after the first quarter and held its largest cushion – 26-17 – with 6:54 left until halftime.  However, the War Hawks made a strong run to close the half. McMurry outscored the Comets 11-4 to close out the second quarter – with five points coming from Skyler Reyna – to trail by just a 30-28 count at the break.
 
UTD would answer the second-half bell, pulling away in the third and fourth periods.  UTD led 55-39 after the third, outscoring McM 25-11 in that quarter alone.
 
The Comets out-rebounded McMurry 41-25 for the day, leading to 11 second-chance points. UTD also utilized its size advantage for 42 points in the paint.
 
Reyna registered her fourth double-double of the season in the loss. Reyna finished with a team-leading totals of 14 points and 10 rebounds, as well as a game-high four steals (half of the War Hawks' thefts in the contest). She connected on 6-of-11 from the field and nailed one from beyond the arc.
 
The junior guard tandem of Sarah Doherty and London Weilert both tallied in double-digit scoring for McM, as well. Doherty was 5-for-9 from the field and went 2-for-2 on her way to a 13-point afternoon.
 
Weilert booked 10 points and grabbed three rebounds, making two steals as well.
 
Sophomore transfer Brittany Rodgers chipped in seven points and Isabel Carrion five. Freshman Savannah Johnson had one basket to round out McM's scoring.
 
McMurry will next be in action next Friday (Dec. 28), facing Manchester University at the UTD Classic.