Jan. 5, 2006

Final Stats

ARLINGTON, Texas - Senior Jarrett Howell led all scorers with 24 points, but it didn't matter as Texas-Arlington fell to Southland Conference favorite Northwestern State, 79-67, Thursday night in SLC play at Texas Hall.

Up 41-34, with 14:04 left in the game, Northwestern State (8-5, 1-0 SLC) went on a 12-4 run over the next four minutes to take control of the game, 56-38, with just over 10 minutes left in the game. Jermaine Spencer and Colby Bargeman both had six points to spark the Demons.

Texas-Arlington (7-7, 0-1 SLC) tried to make a game of it, as Howell's layup cut the lead to nine points, 68-59, with 4:36 remaining in the game. But the Mavericks ended the game, shooting 2-of-9 which gave Northwestern State the victory.

Howell led the Mavericks with a game-high 24 points, while sophomore Jermaine Griffin ended with six points and five rebounds.

Jermaine Wallace led four Demons in double figures with 15 points, while Byron Allen had 12, and Spencer and Tyron Mitchell chipped in with 10 each. Mitchell also had a game-high nine assists.

The Mavericks opened up an early 11-8 lead with 12:10 remaining in the first half. Senior Steven Thomas had the hot hand early pouring in four points during the stretch.

Northwestern came back with an 11-4 run to take a 19-15 lead with just over five minutes remaining in the opening half. Luke Rogers capped off the scoring with a three-pointer that pushed the lead to four points.

Both teams traded baskets the rest of the way, with neither team able to pull away. Sloppy play was the tone of the first half as both teams combined for 25 turnovers.

Northwestern State's Clifton Lee led all players with seven points and sophomore Larry Posey had a team-high six points for the Mavericks at the break.

The Mavericks will be back in action Thursday when they host conference-foe Texas State. Tip-off at Texas Hall is set for 7:05 p.m.