Feb. 23, 2006

Box Score

THIBODAUX, La. - UT-Arlington canned a season-high 13, 3-pointers and opened the second half on a 22-4 run to pull away from Nicholls State 78-63 in a Southland Conference men's basketball game Thursday night at Stopher Gym.

The win keeps UTA (13-13, 6-7) in the running for one of eight spots in the upcoming Southland Conference Postseason Tournament, March 7-12. In ninth place at the start of the week, UTA could move to within a game of a three-way tie for fourth place after Thursday's games. Nicholls State (8-17, 4-10) dropped its ninth game in 10 tries.

Senior guard Brady Dawkins (Whitehouse, Texas) scored a career-high 21 points, including seven 3-pointers. Senior forward Steven Thomas (Fort Worth, Texas) scored 12 of his 14 points in the second half. Sophomore guard Roderick Epps (Richardson, Texas) added 14 on four 3-pointers.

"I was so proud of the way we came out in the second half, especially after the way we ended the first half," said UTA coach Eddie McCarter. "I thought that was the best we have shot the ball in a long time. Epps hit some big shots and Brady has really been shooting the ball well lately."

UTA canned its first six field goals, including five treys, in the opening five minutes of the second half to stretch a 33-31 halftime lead to 50-35 after a trey by Epps with 15:31 to play.

Epps canned another three with 13:55 to make the lead 20, 55-35.

UTA made eight straight free throws in the final 1:21 to seal the win. The Mavs made 11 of 12 free throws in the second half and finished the game 15-of-17 (88.2%).

UTA used a 15-2 run midway through the first half to take a 33-31 lead into the locker room. The Mavericks led 33-22 after a bucket by Thomas with 3:43 to play in the half before Nicholls State went on a 9-0 run to end the half to cut the lead to two.

Larry Posey (Houston, Texas) scored the first six points of the game for the Mavs and had all eight of his points in the first half.

Dawkins canned four, 3-pointers in the first half. One ended a 6-0 Nicholls State run and gave UTA a 21-20 lead with 8:25 left in the half.

GAME NOTES: Dawkins' seven 3-pointers ties for the second most in a UTA men's game. Jabari Johnson canned seven against McNeese State on Jan. 27, 2000. The school record is nine by Willie Brand at Northwestern State on Feb. 14, 1991... Someone unplugged the scoreboard and press table with 3:21 to play in the game causing a five-minute delay of play... Thomas switched jerseys in the second half and finished the game wearing 31... UTA improved to 3-9 away from Texas Hall.