Nov. 27, 2004
Box Score
LARAMIE, Wyo. - Wyoming sophomore guard Steve Leven scored 15 of his game-high 21 points in the second half to give the Cowboys a come-from-behind 86-79 win over Texas-Arlington in a non-conference men's basketball game at Arena Auditorium Saturday afternoon.
Wyoming (3-0) had four players in double figures. Jay Straight scored 16, Derek Wabbington 12 and 7-foot senior center Alex Dunn with 11.
UTA (2-2) had five in double figures led by freshman forward Jermaine Griffin's 16. Brady Dawkins scored a career-high 15, all from 3-point range. Jarrett Howell (12), Larry Posey (11) and Steven Thomas (11) added double figures.
"We are getting better, our freshmen are doing better, doing things we need them to do," said head coach Eddie McCarter. "We have just got to grow up. We still made some mistakes at the end, by not only our young players, but our older players too. Give Wyoming credit for that. They played solid when they had to, got the blocks and made the plays at the end."
Wyoming led 45-38 at halftime after hitting 14-of-15 at the free-throw line compared to 3-of-7 by UTA. Tied at 28-28 with 8:34 left in the first half after a Griffin basket, Wyoming outscored UTA 15-4 over the next 6:03 to build its biggest lead of the night, 43-32, after a Leven layup.
UTA came out of the locker room with a 12-0 run to take a 50-45 lead with 16:22 to play after a three-pointer by Stephen Floyd. The Mavs held the lead until Wyoming took the lead for good with a James Ebert lay up with 12:58 to play. UTA kept it close and trailed 67-66 after a Myles Guidry took a steal for a layup with 7:13 remaining.
Two free throws and a layin by Griffin trimmed a 71-66 Cowboys lead to 74-73 with 2:52 to go. But Wyoming went on an 11-2 run the next 2:39 to lead 85-75 after two Straight free throws.
UTA returns to action Tuesday when they host Texas Wesleyan at Texas Hall at 7 p.m. Prior to the game the 2004 Southland Conference regular season championship team will be honored.
-utamavs.com-
