Feb. 9, 2006
Final Stats
NATCHITOCHES, La. - Senior Brady Dawkins' three-point attempt at the buzzer hit iron as the Mavericks fell to conference-leading Northwestern State, 82-79, Thursday evening at Prather Coliseum.
Northwestern State (16-6, 9-1 SLC) came out of halftime on a 16-2 run in the first five minutes, keyed by six points from Clifton Lee and four points from Byron Allen. The run gave the Demons a 52-44 lead with 15:16 remaining in the game.
Texas-Arlington (11-12, 4-6 SLC) fought back, using a 22-12 run over the next eight minutes to retake the lead, 66-64, with 7:11 remaining in the game. Senior Jarrett Howell had eight points and sophomore Larry Posey added six points to key the run.
Both teams traded baskets over the next six minutes, before the Demons stretched the lead to 81-77, with just 22 second remaining on two free throws by Tyronn Mitchell.
Freshman Brandon Long hit a runner with 13 seconds to go, to cut the lead to 81-79. The Mavericks fouled again and sent Mitchell to the line. This time the senior made only one free throw. The Mavericks brought the ball down the floor and Dawkins missed a contested trey to end the game.
Howell led the Mavericks with 18 points, while senior Steven Thomas ended the game with 12 points and a team-high eight rebounds. Thomas also had four assists and sophomore Rodrick Epps added four assists of his own to go along with his 11 points. Dawkins added eight points and three steals from the point-guard position.
Lee lead the Demons with 18 points and a game-high nine rebounds, while Allen tallied 13 points and eight rebounds. Luke Rogers led all players with eight assists.
Texas-Arlington shot 51 percent (25-49) from the field and an amazing 59 percent from behind the arc. However, Northwestern State registered a 48 percent shooting night from the floor and 50 percent from the three-point line.
Texas-Arlington knocked down three treys from downtown and got a three-point play from Thomas to take an 18-8 lead, at the 15:25 mark of the first half. Epps hit two of the long-range bombs and Dawkins added the other.
The Mavericks increased their lead to 24-10, at the 11:51 mark, with the help of a 6-2 run over the next four minutes. Thomas had two buckets during the stretch and the Mavericks forced two Demon turnovers.
Northwestern State cut the Maverick lead down to three as Spencer capped off a 26-15 run with a layup at the 1:42 mark of the first half.
Texas-Arlington responded with a Howell free throw and tip-in by Griffin to take a 42-36 lead into the break.
The Mavericks shot a blazing 57 percent from the field and 63 percent from behind the arc in the first half, but 12 turnovers by Texas-Arlington kept the game close.
The Mavericks will be back in action Thursday when they take on Texas-San Antonio. Tip-off is set for 7:05 p.m. at Texas Hall. The Roadrunners defeated Texas-Arlington both times they faced last season
