RICHARDSON — In the last 11 years, the Sul Ross State women's basketball team had never beaten the University of Texas at Dallas.
On Saturday afternoon that all changed.
Behind a double-double performance from
Marley Rokas, the Lobos extended their winning streak to five games with a 59-52 victory over the Comets at the UTD Activity Center.
The five-game streak matches their season-high of five from last season.
"They play with a lot of heart. They care for each other," said Sul Ross head coach E.J. Lee Smith. "I just love to coach a team like that.
"I told them in the locker room, 'They're tough, but we're tougher.'"
There were three different lead changes in the first quarter before
Brianna Martin hit a three-pointer with 1:09 on the clock to put the Lobos behind, 12-11.
Rokas gave Sul Ross the lead with a layup that was sparked by a steal from
Melody Martinez on the fast break.
The game was then tied three more times before Sul Ross went off on a 10-0 run to take a 30-20 lead.
Kayley Diaz scored four points during the offensive surge.
Sul Ross ended up holding a five-point lead at halftime.
The Lobos increased their lead to eight when Martinez hit a clutch three with 7:46 in the third quarter. The Comets answered back with a three of their own to trail by five once again.
Lauren Lusk made a layup off an assist by Rokas with 6:29 to go.
The deficit was chiseled down to three with 4:28 remaining. After a three-pointer by
Emily Bunger and another layup by Lusk, Sul Ross went out ahead by nine.
Sul Ross held a 12-point lead with 2:45 in the fourth quarter after
Vania Hampton got four points off a pair of layups.
The Comets got to within three, but the Lobos prevailed as they landed some key free throws down the stretch to win by seven.
Rokas tallied 13 points and 11 rebounds while Martinez also had 13 points along with two steals and six boards.
Martin added with 10 points while Diaz scored eight points and five steals.
Defense once again proved to be a key difference maker as the Lobos grabbed 22 steals to create 23 points off of turnovers.
Sul Ross also won the rebounding battle, 49-46, against a tall and physical Comets squad.
The Lobos shot 10 of 17 from the free throw line.
"I told them it was going to be a close game. I knew it was going to be a really tough, physical game," added Smith. "Let me tell you. They listened, they executed and we finished strong. I'm so proud of all of them. We have leadership. They know what they're supposed to do."
>> UP NEXT: Sul Ross takes on McMurry on the road at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 8.
>> RECORDS: Sul Ross 5-3 (2-0); UT-Dallas 3-4 (1-1)
