The Texas Rangers (0-1) collapsed in the ninth inning against the Boston Red Sox (1-0), falling 5-2 on Thursday at Globe Life Field. Fans in red and blue flocked to the stadium in hopes of seeing the Rangers take home an opening-day win. After a four-inning stalemate, the wind was sucked out of the building in the ninth. Red Sox outfielder Wilyer Abreu blasted his second home run of the game, giving Boston a 5-2 lead in the top of the ninth. With runs being hard to come by for the Rangers, the three-run bomb was too much to overcome in the latter part of the inning. Rangers pitcher Nathan Eovaldi started the game on fire from the mound, recording four strikeouts in his first 24 pitches. “I felt really good today,” Eovaldi said. “I feel like I had good command on my fastball, I had a really good feel for the curveball. Towards the end of the game, I started to get the splitter going. I feel like I did a good job keeping them off balance.” Infielder Jake Burger introduced himself to Rangers fans, opening up scoring in the second inning off of outfielder Kevin Pillar’s single. After leading 1-0, Eovaldi gave up three hits, letting Boston tie the game 1-1. Pillar’s second hit of the game came with two outs on the board for the Rangers in the fourth inning. Following him was catcher Kyle Higashioka, who doubled to center and brought Pillar home for the Rangers to regain the lead. Pillar, a former Red Sox, contemplated retirement before the season but signed a minor league deal with the team in February. In three plate appearances, Pillar recorded two hits, one run and one run batted in. “He said to himself, ‘Hey, I’m not done. I have a lot of baseball left,’ and that’s what it looks like,” Rangers manager Bruce Bochy said. “That’s why he got the start today and did a nice job.” That would be the Rangers’ last score. Despite his performance, Eovaldi said he was frustrated with himself for allowing the Red Sox to tie the game in the fifth. “We scored twice first and the very next thing, I gave it up,” he said. “[It’s] frustrating, I feel like the biggest thing in baseball is a shutdown inning.” Eovaldi’s afternoon came to an end after pitching six innings and recording nine strikeouts, giving up only three hits. Although the team struggles offensively, Bochy said he doesn’t lack confidence in his team’s scoring ability. “We’re a team that’s gonna put up runs. We got shut down to two runs; I don’t see that happening a lot because of this offense,” he said. With the game tied 2-2, pitcher Luke Jackson gave up the home run to Abreu, sealing the game. The Rangers will host the Red Sox through Sunday at Globe Life Field with the next game slated for 7:05 p.m. Friday. All games will be available on the Victory+ network. @babyboimatt sports-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu

The United Football League is back with the Arlington Renegades set to kick off their 2025 season. The Renegades will begin their season in a matchup against the San Antonio Brahmas at 3 p.m. Saturday at Choctaw Stadium. The game will be nationally televised on Fox. After winning the XFL championship in 2023, the team suffered a setback in the UFL’s inaugural season. The Renegades started their 2024 campaign losing their first six games, finishing with a 3-7 record. Led by head coach Bob Stoops, the Renegades are coming into this season with higher expectations. The Renegades retained a few key players, set in their offseason plans. The team was able to re-sign quarterback Luis Perez, who led the UFL in passing last season. Perez was one of the 24 quarterbacks across the league who held out at the start of training camp despite a wage dispute with the league. Running back De’Veon Smith returns to lead the backfield. Over the last two seasons, Smith has rushed 10 touchdowns. The Renegades also brought back both of their top wide receivers, Tyler Vaughns and Javonta Payton. As the season kicks off, the Renegades hope to return to championship contention in the UFL’s second season. @tdreevess sports-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu

Baseball is back in Arlington. With opening day approaching for Texas Rangers fans, the team looks to return to its championship form this season. After winning the franchise’s first World Series championship in 2023, the Rangers did not see the same success last year going 78-84. Injuries plagued the team throughout most of the season, giving fans a reason to look to 2025. The Rangers will kick their season off at 3:05 p.m. Thursday with a four-game series against the Boston Red Sox at Globe Life Field. After the team failed to make the postseason and saw its rival Houston Astros win the American League West title, the organization faced many questions regarding the future. Roster reconstruction was at the forefront. Notable additions Retained pitcher Nathan Eovaldi with three-year deal Signed designated hitter Joc Pederson to two-year deal Acquired infielder Jake Burger via trade Signed pitcher Patrick Corbin Notable departures First baseman Nathaniel Lowe to the Washington Nationals Pitcher Max Scherzer to the Toronto Blue Jays Pitcher José Leclerc to the Athletics Outfielder Travis Jankowski to the minor league Chicago White Sox Pitcher Kirby Yates to the Los Angeles Dodgers With a few noteworthy losses to the pitching staff, the Rangers look to two highly commended talents to emerge: pitchers Jack Leiter and Kumar Rocker. The opening day roster was announced Tuesday and came with a shocking omission of outfielder Evan Carter to start the season in the minor leagues. If the team avoids injuries and unfortunate circumstances, the Rangers are primed for another run into October under the leadership of shortstop Corey Seager and second baseman Marcus Semien. The duo finished second and third, respectively, in the American League MVP award voting in 2023. The baseball season is a marathon, and the Rangers’ quest to October begins. See the team’s schedule online. @babyboimatt sports-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu

UTA women’s basketball fell to the University of North Texas 78-67 in the second round of the Women’s National Invitation Tournament in Denton, Texas on Monday. The Lady Mavericks faithful traveled to the UNT Coliseum, home of Mean Green basketball in hopes of seeing their team advance to the tournament’s Super 16. UTA started the game on fire on both sides of the floor, showing no signs of being an underdog in a hostile environment. Fifth-year forward Koi Love got off to a scorching start, scoring nine of the team’s first 10 points. Fellow fifth-year forward Avery Brittingham was a force to be reckoned with defensively. In the first five minutes, she recorded four blocks, tying her career-high and ultimately finished with six blocks. After UTA went up 10-3, UNT adjusted to a full-court press defense. The pressure caused the Lady Mavericks trouble, including three backcourt violations. Leading to points for the Mean Green, UTA’s lead was cut to 16-15 heading into the second quarter. “We just got into the flow of the game and kind of lost our focus,” head coach Shereka Wright said. “That press bothered us and it shouldn’t.” The second quarter was disastrous for the Lady Mavericks. Following a pair of 6-0 runs by both teams, UTA found themselves leading 22-21, the last time the Lady Mavericks held the lead. UNT blew the game open with an 20-0 run, leaving UTA frustrated as it trailed 46-27 at halftime. “I thought that we kind of allowed officiating to take us out of who we really were,” Wright said. “I just told us at halftime, ‘We’re better than that.’ I challenged our group, it’s not fair to our fans to play that way.” Senior forward Zoe Nelson was assessed a technical foul as UNT was starting to make its run. Nelson threw the ball in the direction of an opponent after giving up a basket. Wright also voiced displeasure with the free throw disparity. “It’s hard to combat that when they shoot 32 free throws and we shoot 16,” she said. “It’s just kind of hard, especially these games like that, you want to allow them to play.” The Lady Mavericks began the third quarter with the same intensity they brought in the first half, forcing turnovers on UNT’s first four possessions of the second half. Wright said the team’s adjustment to a 1-3-1 defense bothered UNT. After UNT took its largest lead of the game, the Lady Mavericks went on an inspiring 17-2 run to cut the lead to six. Love’s sizzling behind-the-back pass between a defender’s legs to find junior guard Nya Threatt for a basket and a foul highlighted the run. UTA found themselves down five after being down 21 early in the quarter. That was as close as the Lady Mavericks would get. UTA was unable to capitalize on the momentum due to foul trouble and missed offensive opportunities. UTA finished with three double-digit scorers with Love leading the way with 20 points, nine rebounds and tying five assists with Threatt. For Wright and the Lady Mavericks, sights shift to next season in hopes of avenging their Western Athletic Conference championship game loss and returning to play postseason basketball. “I would say stay tuned because again, you get to see great players,” Wright said. “Portal opens tomorrow for us and so we’re back to work. We’re going to bring some more talent here.” @babyboimatt sports-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu

With the National Intercollegiate Wheelchair Basketball Tournament on the horizon, the UTA Movin’ Mavs are gearing up this week, aiming for a championship title. The tournament will run from Tuesday to Saturday. The team secured the No. 2 seed, receiving a first-round bye, and will play its first game against the game three winner at noon Thursday at the State Farm Center in Champaign, Illinois. Movin’ Mavs player Carrington Marendes said he is determined to finish his career on a high note. He is focused on a national championship win for the younger players and head coach Aaron Gouge. “If you’re here at UTA Movin’ Mavs, the goal is always to win a national championship,” Marendes said. “No matter what it is.” As a top contender and back-to-back champions in 2021 and 2022, the team aspires to make a deep run this year. The Movin’ Mavs completed their regular season 8-4 with notable victories over the top two teams in the division. Movin’ Mavs player Ke’Sean Paire said the tournament is anyone’s game, with a bracket made up of familiar teams. Marendes said he plans to beat the teams by staying balanced and slowing down. Paire said his goal during the tournament is to create chaos on the court both offensively and defensively. The player’s collaboration and energy provide team support. “The bench is just as into it as we are on the court,” he said. “Sometimes the bench helps us so much, because they get lit, then we get fired up.” While Gouge can coach the team with everything they need to know, Paire said it is up to him and other players to successfully implement the game plan. Both players are confident in the team to tackle the contest ahead of them, emphasizing the need to maintain consistency. The winner of Thursday’s match will go on to play at 2 p.m. Friday, with the national championship game set for Saturday. Additional information on the tournament can be found online. @kaleivie_ sports-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu

Baseball and softball prepare for a busy week of Western Athletic Conference games while the Movin’ Mavs and Lady Movin’ Mavs travel to Illinois for the National Intercollegiate Wheelchair Basketball Tournament. Here is the schedule for Tuesday through April 1. Movin’ Mavs The Movin’ Mavs, No. 2 in its bracket, will compete in its first round of the NIWBT at noon Thursday in the State Farm Center. Opponents have yet to be determined. Lady Movin’ Mavs The Lady Movin’ Mavs, also No. 2 in its bracket, will play in its first round at 6 p.m. Friday in the State Farm Center. Opponents have yet to be determined. Women’s golf Women’s golf will compete in the second round of the Ozark National Invitational on Tuesday with finals scheduled for Wednesday. The team will then travel to Monroe, Louisiana, to participate in the University of Louisiana Monroe Invitational. The first 36 holes are scheduled for March 31. Men’s golf Men’s golf will compete in the Wyoming Cowboy Classic hosted by the University of Wyoming March 31 through April 1. The two-day competition will be held at the Ak-Chin Southern Dunes Golf Club in Arizona. Baseball The baseball team will start the week against Baylor University at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday in Waco, Texas. The team will then resume WAC play, hosting a three-game series against California Baptist University starting at 6 p.m. Friday. The next game will be at 2 p.m. Saturday and the series finale will be at noon Sunday, all played at Clay Gould Ballpark. Each game will be available to stream on ESPN+. Softball Softball will also start its week against BU at 6:30 p.m. in Waco, Texas, and will be available to stream on ESPN+. The team will then hit the road to face Utah Valley University for a three-game WAC series. The first two games will be played 3 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. Friday and will wrap up at 1 p.m. Saturday. Track and field Opening its outdoor season last weekend, UTA track and field will participate in the 97th Clyde Littlefield Texas Relays at UT Austin. Relays will run from Wednesday to Friday and times are available on UT Austin’s website. The team will then compete in the 42nd Victor Lopez Classic hosted by Rice University in Houston on Friday and Saturday at the Wendel D. Ley Track. Women’s tennis The women’s tennis team has a busy week in front of them with three matches, starting on the road against Rice University at 1 p.m. Thursday. The Mavericks will then return home to face Abilene Christian University on Saturday at the UTA Tennis Center, the time has yet to be determined. The team will take on Tarleton State University at 11 a.m. Sunday to conclude its week. Men’s tennis Coming off a strong performance against the University of the Incarnate Word on Saturday, the men’s tennis team will look to carry its momentum at 1 p.m. Wednesday at Wichita State University. @kaleivie_ sports-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu

The Lady Movin’ Mavs are headed to the National Intercollegiate Wheelchair Basketball Tournament. The tournament will be played at State Farm Center in Champaign, Illinois, and will run from Wednesday to Saturday. UTA finished the season 11-5, and is looking to bring home its third national championship. The Lady Movin’ Mavs have a first-round bye, automatically putting them in the final four. Head coach Morgan Wood said she has been very impressed by this year's team. “They have really taken their game to the next level this season,” Wood said. As a former Lady Movin’ Mavs player on the two championship winning teams, Wood said getting to see the current team bring that culture back feels surreal. Lady Movin’ Mavs player Zoe Voris said in an email that the team has been preparing a lot through physical training while working with sports psychologists, helping the team focus. “I think we've done a really good job sticking together as a team. I personally am always trying to tell everyone to lean on each other when things get tough, and I think we've done that,” Voris said. “I've felt more supported from my teammates this season than ever before and that helps me be confident that when we're on the court, I can play my game, and they have my back.” Wood talked about how having the experience of older players has helped the maturity of the team throughout the season. The team has veterans mixed in with young talent. Player Michelle Bautista said she’s mentally preparing for the championship to set herself up for success. “Being able to come in with a clear mind and a clear conscious of, ‘I’m there to win, and we're all there to win,” Bautista said. “Not winning this year is not an option.” The winner of the University of Illinois Urbana v. City University of New York game at 10 a.m. Friday between will play UTA at 6 p.m. Friday, with the national championship game set to take place Saturday. Additional information on the tournament can be found online. @tdreevess sports-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu

UTA men’s tennis (8-8) defeated University of the Incarnate Word (6-5), 6-1 Saturday at the UTA Tennis Center. Head coach Diego Benitez said he was confident going into singles. Despite giving up the point in doubles, the team delivered a dominant singles performance to earn the win. Senior Pedro Sasso made quick work of his opponent winning 6-3 and 6-1, sweeping the match and tying the score 1-1. Sophomore Meethre Barot won a tightly contested battle with UIW senior Emilio Vila that took three games, the longest of any singles match. Barot, Sasso’s teammate in doubles, said trusting the team’s preparation is the best way to handle pressure. “It’s playing without the fear of missing, but playing to win, not to lose,” Barot said. Freshman Federico Garbero said he’s overcome challenges this season after his impressive showing Saturday. “Since I got here it was really tough because I got sick twice, then I twisted my ankle,” Garbero said. “Today, at the beginning I was feeling the match pretty tight, but then I started feeling good.” Garbero and his partner, senior Daniel Pérez-Caraballo, won the only doubles match for UTA. Garbero also won his singles match 6-1, 6-3 giving the Mavericks the lead, 2-1. The Mavericks carried that into the rest of the match, going undefeated in singles. Benitez praised the team’s cohesion, noting that its chemistry has been a driving force behind the recent success. “We have a great team and we have great chemistry, so that’s a good recipe,” he said, “It’s been like this the last few years, so I think that has to do a lot with the success that we have had.” The team looks to carry its momentum at 1 p.m. Wednesday at Wichita State University. @kaleivie_ sports-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu

UTA softball (19-11, 6-3) defeated Abilene Christian University (8-24, 4-5) in a nail-biting series opener, 4-3, on Friday at Allan Saxe Field. The game needed a whopping 14 innings to determine a winner. Head coach Kara Dill said the team did a good job of staying present and taking the game one pitch at a time, gaining confidence in moments of pressure. Both teams held their ground defensively, combining for 30 hits and only one error. The first run of the game came from a home run by ACU in the second inning. In the fourth inning, the Mavericks responded when junior utility player Elizabeth Baylor smashed a home run, driving in two to give UTA the lead 2-1. “It felt good. I’ve been hitting the ball but it hasn’t been dropping,” Baylor said. “Honestly, I walked in the box and I knew they were coming inside next pitch.” ACU regained the lead in the sixth inning, scoring two runs by virtue of runs batted in. Despite a tough sixth inning, the Mavericks managed three hits in the seventh inning, including junior catcher Kailee Bautista’s single to score sophomore infielder Emma Lopez, tying the game 3-3. To extra innings, they went. For the next six innings, the two teams fought hard to keep each other from scoring. Finally, in the 14th inning, Bautista hit a double, putting a player on base. After advancing to third, a wild pitch hit the wall behind ACU’s catcher, allowing Bautista to steal home and secure the 4-3 win. Freshman pitcher Madi McDonnell recorded four strikeouts in the 12 innings she pitched, and credited the defense behind her. “My defense was just out there making diving plays left and right,” she said. “It just made me want to work even harder for them knowing that they were out there behind me.” The Mavericks returned for a doubleheader against the Wildcats on Saturday, winning the first game 7-0. UTA rode a six-game win streak into the final game of the series. However, the streak came to an end, faltering 4-1 to end the series 2-1. The team will head south to face Baylor University at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday in Waco, Texas. @kaleivie_ sports-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu

UTA women’s basketball pummeled University of the Incarnate Word 78-52 in the first round of the Women’s National Invitation Tournament on Thursday at College Park Center. The CPC’s crowd was fired up to watch postseason basketball from tipoff to the final buzzer. “Thank you to our crowd,” head coach Shereka Wright said. “Lady Mav nation was loud and proud. I was so excited to see everybody come out to support, that was awesome for our program.” The team came out clicking on both sides of the floor. Defensively, UTA stymied UIW with full-court pressure leading to transition points offensively. The Lady Mavericks blew the door open with a 10-0 run, ending the first quarter 24-9. Wright said the team did a great job valuing the ball and executing offensively to set the tempo. The inside-outside dynamic of fifth-year forward Avery Brittingham and senior guard Taliyah Clark led the Lady Mavericks, together contributing 26 out of the 47 points UTA left with at the half. The team didn’t let up in the second half, continuing to apply pressure on UIW before the half-court. Wright said despite the big lead, she wanted her team to stay engaged defensively. “We hadn’t pressed in the last couple of games, so I just kind of wanted to see what it looked like,” Wright said. “Definitely something that we’ll probably continue to use as we move forward.” Offensively, UTA shared the ball well, assisting on 19 of the team’s 26 field goals made. Brittingham led the team with four assists, scored 16 points and was one rebound shy of a double-double. This could possibly be Brittingham’s and Clark’s last game at CPC. Using that as motivation, Clark finished the game with 22 points, reigning in four 3-pointers. “We don’t want to go home, we want to keep playing. It’s March, anything’s possible right now,” Clark said. “Just knowing that, since I’m a senior, one of these games could be one of my last games in college.” The team has put the Western Athletic Conference Tournament championship game loss behind them and is now solely focused on winning the WNIT. “So proud of our kids because again, it’s about hanging banners,” Wright said. “It’s about being remembered. It’s about legacy, and it’s about how you get to be remembered.” UTA’s women’s basketball team will go against University of North Texas in the second round at 6 p.m. Monday in Denton, Texas. @babyboimatt sports-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu

UTA women’s basketball heads into its postseason with the Women’s National Invitation Tournament, playing against University of the Incarnate Word at 6:30 p.m. Thursday at College Park Center. After falling in the Western Athletic Conference Tournament championship game, head coach Shereka Wright said the team gained traction going toe-to-toe with Grand Canyon University on national TV. The Lady Mavericks will host one more game at CPC following their historic season in the arena. UTA finished 11-1 at home, the best since 2006-07. “We had a lot of success on our home floor,” Wright said. “What it does is, for the community who had not had a chance to be able to come and see you, get a chance to come do that.” Thursday’s winner will advance to the second round and face University of North Texas. The time, date and location have yet to be announced. The WNIT consists of 48 high-performing teams that did not receive bids in the NCAA Tournament or others. Students can use their MavID to get in free, along with one guest. Others can purchase tickets for $5. Parking will be $10. “Bring your families out. Meet a friend, bring a friend,” Wright said. “Let’s fill up the stands. These kids deserve it and it’s big for women’s basketball.” @babyboimatt sports-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu

UTA’s basketball teams traveled to Las Vegas in hopes of cutting down the nets and being the group to represent the Western Athletic Conference in the NCAA Tournament. Although the Lady Mavericks’ dream of a WAC Tournament championship fell four points short, the team is not done playing basketball. Moments after falling to Grand Canyon University in the title game, head coach Shereka Wright hinted at more postseason play. On Monday, the Women’s National Invitation Tournament announced UTA as one of 48 teams to compete. The Lady Mavericks will host the University of the Incarnate Word at 6:30 p.m. Thursday at College Park Center. The team had a historic season at home, going 11-1, the best home record since the 2006-07 season and the best percentage under Wright. It was a season of streaks for the Lady Mavericks. After starting the season 4-6, they went on a four-game winning streak, including their first three conference games and a historic win against Wiley University, scoring 113 points — the most in program history. After a blemish against Utah Valley University, UTA won its next six games, winning the first nine of 10 conference games. Fifth-year forward Koi Love was a catalyst in the team’s success. The University of Southern California transfer added to an already experienced team, having previously played at bigger schools. Love led the team in scoring, averaging 16.3 points per game, 6.8 rebounds and 96 total assists. She also led the team in steals and set a WAC record for the most newcomer of the week awards, totaling nine. Following the impressive stretch, the Lady Mavericks dealt with adversity as the season ended. The team went through a tough spiral, losing five games in a row. However, the team didn’t panic, knowing it had a chance to do something it had never done since rejoining the WAC: defeat California Baptist University. The Lady Mavericks celebrated Senior Day by beating CBU, who knocked them out of the WAC Tournament last season. The cycle wouldn’t end there as UTA played CBU in this year’s tournament quarterfinals. The Lady Mavericks didn’t want it any other way. “Getting beat by Cal Baptist in the semis, it hurt,” fifth-year forward Avery Brittingham said. “Getting a chance to play them, first round, again, it feels good. Especially coming off of our win.” The Lady Mavericks avenged themselves against the Lancers in their opening round. Before stepping into Las Vegas, four individuals were honored with conference accolades. Love and Brittingham were named two of the conference’s best players, making the All-WAC first team. Senior guard Aspen Thornton was named the WAC’s co-sixth player of the year, and freshman guard Kendal Robinson was named to the conference’s freshman team. Following a win against Tarleton State University in the semifinals, UTA earned the right to play in the WAC Tournament championship. However, facing the nation’s hottest team, they came up just short of the ultimate goal. “Doubters — we had it all season long,” Wright said following the team’s loss. “I’m gonna defend my group today because they played their butts off. Everybody doubted them all season long. We went through our adversity and they competed today.” Men’s basketball’s season has come and gone. Fresh off last season’s berth in the WAC Tournament championship game, the team hoped to get over the hump this year. After finishing 13-17 in the regular season, UTA earned No. 7 in the WAC Tournament, barely avoiding the play-in game between No. 8 and No. 9. The seeding matched them with GCU, the team that ended their NCAA Tournament hopes a year ago and in the first round of this year’s tournament. “It was a disappointing loss to us,” head coach K.T. Turner said following the team’s loss. “I felt like we competed a lot better in the second half, but it was disappointing for sure.” The season was full of highs and lows for the Mavericks. Of all nonconference games to start the season, one stood out. UTA traveled to Los Angeles in November to face USC, a Power Four school. Despite losing by three points, the Mavericks’ competitiveness inspired fans to see the team’s potential. Similar to the women’s team, the men succeeded at home with a 9-4 record at CPC, highlighted by the Pack the Park campaign against TSU on Feb. 22. The Mavericks dealt with roster reconstruction a year removed from Turner’s first season. Senior guard Brandyn Talbot and sophomore guard Kade Douglas were the only returners from last season’s team. Of the newcomers was graduate forward Lance Ware, who was consistently one of UTA’s best players, earning him a second-team All-WAC nod and being named to the conference’s all-defensive team. The Mavericks weren’t able to overcome closing the regular season on a three-game losing streak in the tournament’s opening round. Turner said he appreciated his team for going to battle with him through thick and thin. “They could have quit a couple of times during the season and never quit on me. I really appreciate that,” he said. @babyboimatt sports-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu

The Lady Mavericks will continue postseason play in the Women’s National Invitation Tournament, while baseball begins Western Athletic Conference action. Softball, track and field, and women’s golf are also on the slate. Here is the schedule for Tuesday through March 24. Women’s basketball The Lady Mavericks will have one more home game in the WNIT after their loss to Grand Canyon University in the WAC Tournament championship game. They will host University of the Incarnate Word at 6:30 p.m. Thursday at College Park Center. The game will be available for streaming on ESPN+. Baseball UTA baseball will head to Norman, Oklahoma, to square off against No. 10 University of Oklahoma at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday. The team will then begin their WAC schedule with a triple-header at Sacramento State University. The first game is set for 6 p.m. Friday and matchups will continue at 4 p.m. Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday. All games will be available to stream on ESPN+. Softball UTA softball looks to stay hot at home as they prepare to host Houston Christian University at 6 p.m. Tuesday at Allan Saxe Field. The team is 9-2 at home to start the season. They will then travel to face the University of North Texas at 6 p.m. Wednesday. The team will finish the week with a three-game series against Abilene Christian University, starting at 6 p.m. Friday and back-to-back matches at noon and 2:30 p.m. Saturday. All games will be available to stream on ESPN+. Track and field UTA track and field will begin its outdoor season with two meets Saturday. The team will participate in the Texas Christian University Alumni/HS Invitational, as well as compete in the Clyde Hart Classic hosted by Baylor University. Times are being determined. Men’s tennis The men’s tennis team will face UIW at 11 a.m. Saturday at the UTA Tennis Center. Women’s golf The women’s golf team will travel to Springfield, Missouri, to participate in the Ozark National Invitational. The first round is scheduled to tee off March 24 and will run through March 26. @tdreevess sports-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu

UTA's basketball teams sought a seat in the NCAA Tournament, but neither secured their spot after tightly-contested match ups.

LAS VEGAS — The Lady Mavericks' Western Athletic Conference championship aspirations came to a heartbreaking halt at the hands of No. 1 Grand Canyon University, 65-62, on Saturday at Orleans Arena. The program sought its fourth ever NCAA Tournament appearance, last making it in 2022 as a member of the Sun Belt Conference. The atmosphere felt like a GCU home game from start to finish with seas of purple flooding the arena. The Antelopes entered the game on a 29-game win-streak, the longest in the country. Fifth-year forward Koi Love came to play, scoring UTA’s first ten points including two threes, single-handedly keeping the Lady Mavericks attached to the Antelopes. A layup by senior guard Taliyah Clark gave UTA their first lead of the game 14-13 with about three minutes left in the first quarter. Along with Love, the Lady Mavericks’ defensive pressure highlighted the first half, leaving the Antelopes’ fans upset with the physicality. UTA frustrated the GCU duo of senior guard Alyssa Durazo-Frescas and senior guard Trinity San Antonio, holding them to a combined 10 points at the half. UTA also forced 12 GCU turnovers in the first half. “I thought our kids were very disciplined today, staying on their feet and keeping length,” head coach Shereka Wright said. In the third quarter, GCU opened up a four-point lead after graduate forward Laura Erikstrup scored six quick points. UTA then dealt a massive haymaker. The Lady Mavericks scored 14 unanswered points to put them up 41-31. However, GCU answered right back with an 8-0 run, pulling within two, forcing Wright to call a timeout. UTA maintained a 48-44 lead at the end of the third. “They’re a good team,” she said. “We countered that. I think when you look at it, for their first two games, nobody counted their runs but us.” UTA saw its opportunities dwindle in the fourth quarter when GCU went on another 8-0 run to overtake, 54-50. Wright chose to rest Love for most of the stretch. The once-nervous GCU crowd roared after every basket or call went their way. After the timeout, Love connected with fifth-year forward Avery Brittingham for a three-point play. A series of plays later, UTA trailed by four with 45 seconds left after a made free throw by San Antonio. Wright called her last timeout of the game. Clark, after taking a big hit by Erikstrup, made a deep three to bring UTA within one, 63-62 with 38 seconds left. That was the team’s final offensive possession. Brittingham secured a defensive board after UTA forced a miss by GCU. With seven seconds remaining, GCU senior guard Callie Cooper poked the ball away from Brittingham, stealing the ball and forcing UTA to foul. Two made free throws later, UTA hoped for a miracle. With its final timeout spent, UTA was left in a position to go the length of the court to tie the game. Junior guard Nya Threatt heaved a shot from half-court. On target, just a bit short was all she wrote. “You have to limit those turnovers and those runs,” Wright said. “San Antonio made some tough shots and this is the kinda way it flowed for us. But again, we didn’t execute when we needed to down that stretch.” UTA’s big three of Brittingham, Clark and Love combined for 44 of the team’s 62 points. UTA was playing for someone bigger themselves and each other — a program legend. Rebekah VanDijk recently passed, known for being the only Lady Maverick to have her jersey retired. The team honored her by wearing a patch that read “RVD 44”. “The one thing I loved about this group, and love about them, is that they’re a sisterhood,” Wright said. “They take care of each other. They’re there for each other, and they’re fun to be around.” As for the immediate future, Wright said fans can expect more Lady Mavericks basketball this season, indicating a potential Women’s National Invitation Tournament appearance. “We’re gonna continue to play basketball,” she said. “This group deserves that. My administration is sitting here, we’ve already been ahead of that and they’re going to support that. They deserve to keep playing basketball. Arlington deserves to see more basketball.” @babyboimatt sports-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu

LAS VEGAS – With a little over two minutes remaining, freshman guard Kendal Robinson flipped the game against the No. 2 team on its head. The back-and-forth contest felt like it would be decided in its final seconds. Robinson ended the stalemate with a left-corner 3-pointer as the shot clock buzzer sounded. UTA fans erupted, unaware that she had just ignited an 11-0 run to seal the game against Tarleton State University. The 66-55 victory Friday advances the Lady Mavericks into the Western Athletic Conference Tournament championship game. Donning their all-black threads, UTA was determined to get the win no matter what it took. It was nothing short of a dogfight. “They were in the moment,” head coach Shereka Wright said. “They wanted it.” Heading into the matchup, UTA and TSU split regular season wins at home. Intensity from the tipoff was unmatched often leading to UTA’s frustration building toward the officiating crew. However, they only trailed by one point 15-14 after junior guard Nya Threatt scored a layup to end the first quarter. The second quarter was a series of runs. UTA went on a 9-0 run that carried over from the end of the first, giving the team a 19-15 lead. However, TSU would answer with a 9-2 run, including five straight to regain the lead. The defensive battle continued into halftime where neither team scored for four minutes. A layup from senior guard Taliyah Clark brought UTA back within one 24-23. Fifth-year forward Koi Love led all scorers with eight points at the break. Halfway into the third quarter, Clark and fifth-year forward Avery Brittingham sparked a 7-0 run. Clark’s two-way play was highlighted by turning a steal into a layup, putting UTA back in front. The tension rose in the fourth quarter when Brittingham received a technical foul for taunting the disqualified TSU sophomore center Faith Acker, who led the Texans in scoring with 12 points and 11 rebounds After Acker picked up her fifth personal foul, UTA’s chance of closing the game out increased. The fiery exchange ignited Robinson and the Lady Mavericks: the rest is history. Wright said Robinson’s contributions off the bench infused the team with energy, something she hopes continues heading into the championship game. “She just came in ready to compete at a high level,” Wright said. “Probably one of the most coachable, young kids that I’ve had within my system.” Robinson was named to the conference’s all-freshman team March 10 and was one of three Lady Mavericks to score double figures in Friday’s game. No. 3 UTA will face No. 1 Grand Canyon University at 2:30 p.m. Saturday in the Orleans Arena. The game will be available to stream on ESPNU. “At this very moment is that, again, we want it,” Wright said. “We step out there, five on five, we’re competing. They’ll be prepared for it.” @babyboimatt sports-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu

LAS VEGAS — UTA women’s basketball advances to the Western Athletic Conference Tournament semifinals after defeating No. 6 California Baptist University 72-66 Thursday. Last season, the Lady Mavericks had their championship dreams crushed by the Lancers in the semifinals. However, UTA earned its redemption with the second win over CBU within a week. Head coach Shereka Wright emphasized her message to the team about being aggressive and running CBU off the three-point line. UTA held the Lancers to only two three-pointers out of 13 attempts in the first half. “Twos for threes. That’s what they heard from me the whole entire time,” she said. After going up 6-2 early on, UTA gave up a 9-0 run before a media timeout in the first quarter. UTA bounced right back, ending the quarter on a 14-0 run to lead 20-11 with a swarming defense and multiple offensive contributions. Senior guard Aspen Thornton sparked off the bench, scoring or assisting on nine of UTA’s 14 straight points to close the first quarter. Fifth-year forward Koi Love took over in the second quarter, scoring six points for the Lady Mavericks before a CBU timeout. UTA’s lead ballooned to 26-13. Despite CBU’s relentless attack, UTA maintained a double-digit lead heading into halftime. Love led all scorers with 10 points at the half. The Lancers refused to slow down in the second half, threatening a comeback. But for every punch, the Lady Mavericks had a counter. Senior guard Taliyah Clark was the answer, scoring or assisting on nine of UTA’s first 11 points in the third quarter. Thornton continued her momentum, hitting a three and drawing a charge to negate a CBU basket. She finished the game with 10 points. “She was big off the bench for us, made the change in the starting lineup because I know she does some really good things off the bench,” Wright said. The game became too close for comfort when the Lancers went on a 10-0 run to cut UTA’s lead to two during the fourth quarter. Eventually, the trio, fifth-year forward Avery Brittingham, Love and Clark, fended off CBU. Love finished the game with 18 points, five rebounds and three assists. Clark chipped in 16 points, knocking down three shots from deep and grabbing five rebounds. UTA had four players score double figures, with Brittingham leading the way with 20 points, seven rebounds and four assists. Brittingham said she and Love understand how their leadership can help the team achieve its goal. “All 13 [of us] want to win,” Brittingham said. “When you’re all on the same page, it’s not that hard. I like listening to my teammates, my teammates like listening to us. That just goes to our bond off the court.” The Lady Mavericks will face Tarleton State University at 4:30 p.m. Friday in the Orleans Arena. The game will be available to stream on ESPN+. “I know our players are going to be ready for this,” Wright said. “They understand the importance of it, and they’re just living in the moment.” @babyboimatt sports-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu

LAS VEGAS – UTA men’s basketball season came to an end Wednesday at the hands of No. 2 seed Grand Canyon University, 98-75, during the Western Athletic Conference tournament. Going into the tournament, UTA looked for redemption after GCU ended their run and a chance at a NCAA Tournament bid in last year’s finals championship match. Early in the game, the Mavericks showed no signs of being the underdog as the back-and-forth affair heightened the tension in the arena. Graduate forward Diante Smith jumped out to a hot start early in the first half, scoring eight of the team’s first 12 points. An alley-oop dunk from graduate guard Darius Burford to junior forward Raysean Seamster sucked the wind out of the GCU crowd. UTA took its first and only lead of the game 25-24, prompting GCU to call its first timeout. However, momentum shifted back in favor of the Antelopes after a couple of missed free throws by the Mavericks and an and-one by GCU. Things got chippy later in the half when UTA’s Burford and GCU’s junior forward Duke Brennan were assessed double fouls when battling for a loose ball. The physicality of the game continued. Makaih Williams, GCU sophomore guard and former Maverick, also received a technical foul after scoring on his old roommate, sophomore guard Kade Douglas. UTA trailed, heading into halftime 46-32 after GCU closed the half on a 7-0 run. Head coach K.T. Turner said graduate forward Lance Ware’s foul trouble hurt the team. “We had to put him back in to stop the bleeding, but we probably should have left him in with two [fouls],” Turner said. Ware had a rough go in the game before he was ejected after receiving a dead ball technical, followed by a technical for an unsolicited response to an official early in the second half. He scored five points and snagged six rebounds in his potentially final collegiate game. UTA struggled to overcome its 16 turnovers and ineffective free throw shooting, problems that have plagued the team all season. The Mavericks were led by senior guard Brandyn Talbot and junior guard Brody Robinson in the second half. Robinson scored 14 points while Talbot and Seamster led the team with 15 points each. UTA men’s basketball ended their season with a 13-18 overall record and 6-10 in conference play. Turner said he is proud of how the team fought throughout the season. “I’m just proud of them,” he said. “They did a good job this year and they fought for us. They could have quit a couple of times during the season and never quit on me, and I really appreciate that.” @babyboimatt sports-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu

LAS VEGAS – With the Western Athletic Conference Tournament underway, UTA men’s and women’s basketball lean on one another in hopes of a deep run. The No. 7 men’s team begins their postseason at 10:30 p.m. Wednesday against No. 2 Grand Canyon University at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas. The No. 3 women’s team will face No. 6 California Baptist University in the quarterfinals at 4:30 p.m. Thursday. Both games will be streamed on ESPN+. As the Mavericks prepare to face rival GCU in their first game of the tournament, there’s a heightened sense of camaraderie despite recent struggles. Newcomers junior guard Brody Robinson and graduate forward Lance Ware have played key roles this year under head coach KT Turner. The pair are pick-and-roll partners on the court. Ware said it all comes down to trust and Robinson’s leadership. “He’s the leader of the team on the court,” Ware said. “If I don’t know something, we look to Brody in the huddle. Brody’s telling us what to do. Brody’s giving us instructions and directions, he’s just always paying attention.” Ware came to UTA with extensive experience, having played at two of the top NCAA-performing college basketball programs in the nation at University of Kentucky and Villanova University. Robinson said that experience lets Ware serve as a calm presence when needed. Ware said Turner’s vision for the forward heavily influenced his decision to transfer to UTA. After sitting behind great players at his previous stops, Ware said he wanted to contribute to team victories while showcasing his abilities. “Experience is everything,” Robinson said. “[Ware’s] played in March Madness, and that’s what we’re trying to get. He’s seen it all.” On Monday, Ware was named to the WAC All-Conference second team and the conference’s all-defensive team. After completing their 11-1 home record with a win over CBU, fifth-year forward Avery Brittingham heads into the tournament with teammates she considers sisters. Brittingham’s role with the team has shifted since joining UTA in 2023, becoming a leader with prior WAC tournament experience. That meant helping one key addition seamlessly integrate with the team: fifth-year forward Koi Love. Brittingham said she and Love have built a special connection on and off the court despite knowing each other for less than a year. “[Love] knows basketball at a really, really high level, and so do I,” Brittingham said. “We just work really effortlessly together, but the biggest piece is off the court, we get along.” Not only are the two a reflection of the Lady Mavericks’ culture, but they’re just as dynamic at the conference level. Love and Brittingham were both named to the All-WAC first team alongside senior guard Aspen Thornton, who was named co-sixth player of the year, and freshman guard Kendal Robinson, who was named to the conference’s all-freshman team. Love said it’s a blessing to have such a close relationship with her teammates. “This is the tightest and most loving group of women basketball players I have ever played on a team with,” she said. “These girls on this UTA members team are some of the most joyous and laughing and thoughtful women that I’ve ever been around.” As UTA prepares to redeem their 2024 tournament loss to CBU, Brittingham said the team has been working to minimize turnovers and be on point defensively to slow down the Lancers’ shooting. “Seeing us beat [CBU] in the conference felt really good, but we always knew we had it in them,” Brittingham said. @babyboimatt sports-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu

No. 3 UTA women’s basketball has a chance of redemption against No. 6 California Baptist University in its first Western Athletic Conference Tournament match. The Lady Mavericks will be one of nine teams eyeing an automatic bid to the NCAA Division I women’s basketball Tournament. The single-elimination competition is scheduled March 11 through 15, ending with the crowning of a WAC champion. Last season, No. 1 CBU ended No. 5 UTA’s run in the semifinals after the Lady Mavericks barreled through their first two games of the tournament. “That has been something that we’ve really struggled against them,” head coach Shereka Wright said in a March 8 post-game press conference. “We’ve been in games and, you know, we’ve dropped those games, but, again, it’s about momentum.” However, in the last game of the regular season, the Lady Mavericks snapped a five-game losing streak that earned them the No. 3 seed. But most importantly, Wright said it was about the team getting its first win against the Lancers since rejoining the WAC. UTA enters the tournament after a historic 11-1 season at home. The Lady Mavericks finished exactly where the 2024-25 WAC Women’s Basketball Preseason Coaches’ Poll predicted with a 15-12 overall record and 10-6 in conference play. The 91.7 win percentage at CPC is the best under Wright and the best home record since the 2006-07 season. Similar to the men’s team, the Lady Mavericks have experienced their fair share of roster turnover from last year’s team. The team hopes one key addition will help them get over the hump. Fifth-year forward Koi Love could be that addition. Love played at some of the highest collegiate levels from Vanderbilt University and University of Arizona to University of Southern California, bringing an experienced presence to the team. “In the storm, I’m always gonna be that calmness. When it’s too calm, I’m always gonna be riled up,” Love said. “I’m going to give the team what it needs as far as energy and effort, and just doing my best to lead in the best way that I know how.” In her first season at UTA, Love won WAC Newcomer of the Week award nine times, which is the most weekly honors a player has received in a single season in WAC history. Love averages 16.1 points and seven rebounds per game. “There’s a conversation we’ve been having since summer about how bad the seniors want it, how bad everybody wants it,” Love said. “Everybody wants to win.” The Lady Mavericks have put themselves in a position to win. Now, it’s time to execute. “I want our kids to, you know, understand that we’re just as good as anybody,” Wright said. “Teams gotta see us, and so we gotta have that mentality going into Vegas.” UTA will face CBU at 4:30 p.m. CST Thursday at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas. The game will be available to stream on ESPN+. @babyboimatt sports-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu