Jan. 5, 2010
Final Stats
Photo Gallery
By Josh Bowe for utamavs.com
ARLINGTON - Texas - It's a fairly common phrase that the numbers never lie.
Coach Scott Cross took one look at the final stat sheet of UT Arlington's 90-85 overtime victory over Utah Valley and immediately debunked that claim.
"We didn't shoot free throws well and we got out rebounded by 21," Cross said. "We figured out a way to win the game, I'm pleased with that."
UTA (7-5) found a way, thanks to senior guard Marquez Haynes' game high 23 points and freshman guard Armani Williams' 16 points off the bench.
The Mavericks took control of overtime thanks to some stifling defense that was at times nonexistent during regulation. UTA outscored Utah Valley 14-9 during the five-minute overtime.
"It was a tough one, they're a feisty team," Haynes said. "Its always good to get an overtime win because those are the games that build character, definitely didn't want to come up short on that one at home. I'm proud of the team."
The Wolverines displayed that feistiness throughout the entire game. There were moments when the Mavericks were on the verge of blowing the game out.
Toward the end of the first half, UTA built a 10-point lead at 37-27. It was the largest lead of the game and the only time the Mavericks had a lead that large.
The Wolverines clawed their way back in the second half to take the lead at 41-40 on an and-one lay-up by junior Wolverine guard Corey Claitt. Utah Valley (6-8) shot 54.5 percent in the second half.
"Guys are getting fatigued," Cross said of the defense. "Trust me, that's all we've done in the last three days is defense. That's all we focus on."
Haynes was relatively quiet during Utah Valley's run. He was held in check for nine points for three quarters of the game. Once the Wolverines took the lead, Haynes went to work attacking the basket and getting to the free throw line.
Haynes went to the line five of his 10 times in the last three minutes of regulation.
"Lately I've been shooting the ball so well that teams aren't giving me good looks at three," Haynes said. "Teams are sitting on me and I don't want to force anything."
Haynes also scored six of his 23 in the extra frame, as the rest of the Mavs picked up the energy in overtime.
Using a variety of traps and zones, UTA forced Utah Valley into 3-for-13 shooting while UTA attacked the rim to earn seven trips to the free throw line in overtime, which Cross was immensely pleased with.
"They definitely stepped up. All the credit goes to the guys for persevering," Cross said. "I was pleased with that aspect of it. The guys battled and got it done."
There were plenty of sloppy moments. Williams had a chance to score at the end of regulation, but forgot the situation and let precious seconds tick off the clock and the horn sound before being able to put up a shot. It's a process that Cross understands will get better as the freshmen learn.
"We're so short handed right now," Cross said. "When those guys step up it gives us a boost and allows us to rest Marquez a couple minutes here and Brandon (Long) a couple minutes there."
The most unexpected contributor of the night was freshman center Jordan Reves. Reves averages only 13.5 minutes a game, but scored a career high 12 points on 6-for-7 shooting.
"Jordan played unbelievable tonight," Cross said. "I hope he can continue to play like that or even close to that."
It was the theme all night. Trends and numbers being busted. Cross certainly doesn't mind at all as UTA picked up its seventh win of the season.
"I don't know how that happened, but we'll take it," Cross said.
