Jan. 13, 2010
Final Stats
Beaumont, Texas - Lamar made some key free throws down the stretch to hold off UT Arlington for a 71-68 in Beaumont Wednesday night.
UT Arlington went on a 12-2 run to take a 64-62 lead before Donley Minor hit a 3-pointer to give the Cardinals an one-point lead. Marquez Haynes tried to answer but missed an 18-foot jump shot with just under a minute to play.
On the next possession, Charlie Harper missed a short jumper and UTA's Jordan Reves was called for a foul on Justin Nabors. Nabors made both free throws for a 67-64 advantage with 28.5 seconds remaining.
Marquez Haynes stormed down the floor and drew a foul to go to the line and made both free throws to cut the lead back to one with 21.6 to play. From there Lamar's Anthony Miles made two free throws with 16.9 to play to increase the lead back to three.
Brandon Long then missed a three-pointer which would have tied the game and Harper grabbed the rebound for the Cardinals and made both of his free throws to seal the victory. Prior to making those he was 0-4 from the line.
"What can you really say other than we are 0-2 in the conference," UTA head coach Scott Cross said. "We played better tonight than we did Saturday but it is still a loss."
Minor led four Lamar players in double figures with 16 points, all of which came in the second half. He made three consecutive 3's midway through the second half that helped Lamar build a 10-point lead.
Haynes led the Mavericks with 25 points while Dwight Gentry added 12.
The loss was the seventh consecutive for the Mavericks in Beaumont where Lamar has won 31 of the 36 games played between the teams.
Both teams struggled from the floor as the Mavericks shot just 36% while Lamar shot 35%. Lamar ended the game shooting 22-of-36 from the foul line while the Mavericks were 13-of-24.
To illustrate the shooting woes of each team, UTA shot just 30% in the first half while holding Lamar to just 26%. With eight minutes remaining in the first half, UTA lead just 12-10
After committing a season-high 28 turnovers vs. Texas State, the Mavericks were better Wednesday with a total of just 11. They also turned 15 Lamar turnovers into 23 points.
The loss drops UT Arlington 7-7 overall and 0-2 in the Southland Conference. This is the first time the Mavericks have started the conference season 0-2 since 2006-07. Lamar improves to 9-8 and 1-1 in conference play.
The Mavericks next game is at Texas Hall in Arlington on Saturday, Jan. 16 vs. UTSA. Tipoff is 7 pm. CT.
They will be looking to avoid their first 0-3 conference start since 1994-95.
