Jan. 25, 2007
Box Score
UT Arlington guard Cardell Hunter did not score a point, but on Thursday he had the biggest impact in the Mavs' success.
The former walk-on guard from Dallas Carter High School orchestrated the Mavs offense, creating open shots and leaving guards Rodrick Epps and Ro'ger Guignard open to do what they do best, score from the outside - as the Mavericks stunned Sam Houston State 78-65 in a Southland Conference men's basketball game at Texas Hall.
UT Arlington ( 6-13, 2-5) snapped a five-game losing streak while Sam Houston (12-7, 4-2) lost for the second time in four tries.
Guignard scored a career-high 21 points to lead UTA. Junior center Jermaine Griffin came off the bench to contribute 18 points, 10 rebounds, four assists and four blocks in 31 minutes of play. Larry Posey had 17 points and Anthony Vereen added 10 points and nine rebounds.
In all, the Mavs out-rebounded SHSU, 45 to 30.
Sam Houston was led by Aaron Wade with 19 points and C.J. Hadley added 11.
"Tonight just shows that talent is way overrated and heart and desire are way underrated," said UTA Head Men's Basketball Coach Scott Cross. "Cardell brought an energy to the floor we have been sorely missing. I can't tell you what he meant to our team tonight."
The smaller lineup of guards Epps, Hunter and Guignard - all under 6-foot-2 - brought a borderline frantic tempo to the court that caught Sam Houston State off guard. The Bearkats struggled from the outside making 10-of-36 from 3-point range during the game. SHSU made just 25.8% from the field in the second half (8-of-31) as UTA broke a 36-36 halftime tie and built as much as an 18-point lead, 76-58, after a dunk by Griffin with 2:47 left in the game.
The dunk capped a 28-9 run over a 10-minute stretch that saw the Mavs rally from a 49-48 deficit to take the lead for good after a Brandon Long jumper with 12:04 left in the game.
UT Arlington continues its five-game in 11-day stretch when they travel to Nacogdoches to meet Stephen F. Austin Saturday at 7 p.m.
MAV NOTES: Griffin posted his fourth double-double of the season... it was the first time this season Griffin did not start.. the win snapped a four-game losing streak to SHSU... the Mavs last win was an 81-53 decision March 3, 2004, as the 2003-04 squad won its last eight regular-season game en route to their first conference title.
utamavs.com
