Nov. 20, 2004

Box Score

Texas-Arlington used a 23-6 run to end the first half to pull away from Texas-Permian Basin 77-64 in men's basketball action Saturday night at Texas Hall.

Freshman forward Jermaine Griffin (Houston, Texas) came off the bench to lead UTA with 21 points and 14 rebounds. Forward Steven Thomas (Fort Worth, Texas) added 18 points and 11 rebounds and junior guard Jarrett Howell (Arlington, Texas) added 13.

UTPB (0-3) was led in scoring by Marlo Saunders' 24 points. Art Garcia chipped in 16 and Rashad Pride added 10.

UT-Permian came out of the gate quickly and built a 10-4 lead on a jumper by Lawrence Kingcade with 14:46 left in the first half. After Saunders canned a jumper to trim the lead to 18-15 with 8:05 remaining, UTA went on the decisive run fueled by Thomas and Griffin who combined for 14 points in the final 7:23 of the half to take a 41-21 halftime lead.

UTA (1-1) led by as many as 25 in the second after a Howell three-pointer with 19:14 to play. UTPB chipped away at the lead and trailed 60-47 with 8;23 to play after a Garcia lay up after a steal by Casey Settles. The lead was trimmed to 12, 72-60, after a layup by Marcus Saunders (cq) with 1:49 to play, but the Falcons could draw no closer.

The Mavericks travels to New Mexico State on Wednesday. Tipoff is at 8 p.m. (CT).