Feb. 23, 2011

Final Stats

Arlington, Tex. - UTA - McNeese State Photo Gallery

The UT Arlington men's basketball team ran into a hot-shooting McNeese State and could not overcome their own off-shooting night as they lost 81-72 to the Cowboys Wednesday night at Texas Hall.

The loss stopped the Mavericks modest two-game winning streak but if the season finished tonight they would still be in the Southland Conference Tournament in two weeks.

UT Arlington (13-13, 7-6 Southland) struggled from the field as they finished the game at 40.6% although they made 13-of-28 three-pointers (46.4%). UTA also finished under 50% from the foul line at 7-of-16 (43.8%).

"We didn't shoot the ball very well tonight and that hurt us offensively as we just could not get into any kind of flow," UTA Scott Cross said. "I have to give them credit thought, they made a lot of big shots.

"It's hard to explain when you shoot well from three-point range but finish the game shooting so low from the field and the line," Cross added. "Those numbers hurt us tonight."

The Cowboys shot 49.1% for the game, which included a 57.9% (11-of-19) mark from three-point range. McNeese State also helped itself by making 18-of-22 from the line.

McNeese took control of the game late in the first half as they outscored the Mavericks 10-1 over the final 4:53, which gave them 33-29 halftime lead.

The Mavericks got to within one point at 49-48 with 10:22 to play and had a chance to take the lead as Bo Ingram went to the line for two foul shots. He missed both of them and McNeese scored five consecutive points in less than a minute to re-take control of the game.

The Cowboys led by as many as 12 a number of times during the remainder of the game and the UT Arlington could get no close than two the rest of the way.

Diego Kapelan led five McNeese State players in double figures as Patrick Richard added 19. C.J. Collins had 14 points, P.J. Alawoya added 11 and a game-high 14 rebounds while Stephan Martin added 10.

Ingram led UT Arlington with 18 points and a team-high eight rebounds while Cameron Catlett added 15.

The Mavericks now hit the road Saturday for a game at Northwestern State.

"We will have to be ready to play on Saturday," Cross said. "But we will get back to work tomorrow and get prepared to play."