Jan. 8, 2005
Box Score
HAMMOND, La. - Southeastern Louisiana went on a 29-8 run over a 13:26 span in the second half and turned a one point Texas-Arlington lead into a 57-41 victory Saturday evening at the University Center.
Jonathan Walker led four Lions in double figures with 14 points and 10 rebounds. He was joined by Nate Lofton and Neil Berry with 11 and Jonathan Patton with 10. Ricky Woods added 11 rebounds.
UTA's starting backcourt of Jarrett Howell, Brady Dawkins and Stephen Floyd combined for just two points on 1-of-8 from the field. As a team, the Mavs shot just 13-for-36 (.361) from the field and only 5-for-22 (.227) in the second half.
The Mavs ( 6-6, 1-1 SLC) got the scoring going as early Steven Thomas took a feed inside from Brady Dawkins and put it up-and-in. The Lions tied the score up when Nate Lofton scored his only points of the game on a shot from in close.
The Lions (10-5, 2-0 SLC) would surge ahead as Patton canned two straight triples from right in front of the Mavs bench. Jermaine Griffin led the Mavs back as he converted on a three-point play at the 15:13 mark and Lofton picked up his second foul just seconds later and spent the remainder of the half on the bench.
With SLU's top player on the bench, UTA regained the lead on a Thomas shot from in tight, but the Lions responded by going on a 10-2 run to go up by seven just past the eight minute mark.
The Mavs survived a 5:20 span without a field goal and when Griffin put an end to the drought, UTA found itself down only 18-15. Just prior to Griffin's field goal, Thomas hit a pair of free throws that sparked an 11-3 run over the final 7:12 of the half. Thomas added a pair of free throws and Kenneth Henderson added a jumper and Rodrick Epps hit the Mavs only triple of the half and the teams went to recess with UTA ahead 22-20.
Lofton came out in the second half and scored six of the first eight Lions points to spark the Lions as they took control of the game at the start of the second half. Walker dazzled the crowd in the second half with a break away dunk and follow up jam in the midst of the Lions big run.
UTA was led offensively by Griffin who was the only player in double figures with 13 points. He also added at team-best nine rebounds. Thomas was held to just eight points, all in the first half, marking the first time Thomas was held under double digits all season.
The Mavs return to action on Jan. 12 when they host preseason favorite Northwestern State. Game time is set for 8 p.m. at Texas Hall.
