Nov. 6, 2006

After an impressive 28-point victory over Texas Wesleyan last week, UT Arlington Head Men's Basketball Coach Scott Cross, will look for improvement as the Mavericks host Angelo State in their final exhibition game prior to the 2006-07 season.

The game tips off at 5 p.m. and is part of doubleheader at Texas Hall as the women's team meet the Houston Jaguars at 7 p.m.

UT Arlington jumped out to a 20-4 lead en route to an 80-52 win over TWU last Thursday. Four players scored in double figures including junior forward Larry Posey (18), Sophomore forward Anthony Vereen (14), freshman guard Ro'ger Guidnard (12) and junior center Jermaine Griffin (12). In all, nine players scored in the game as Cross used his bench to limit the minutes of each athlete.

"I liked our energy last week," said Cross, who became the seventh coach in Mavericks history last spring after eight seasons as an assistant coach. "We worked on some areas of our game the last couple of days and we will see how well we respond."

UT Arlington committed 26 turnovers in the contest, but shot 55.6 percent from the field (30 of 54). The Mavericks also made 87.5 percent from the free-throw line (14 of 14).

Angelo State is coming off an 8-19 campaign in 2005-06. Former North Texas assistant coach Fred Rike is the new head coach of the Rams.

UT Arlington opens the regular season Saturday when they host UT-Tyler at 4:30 p.m.

- utamavs.com -