Jan. 18, 2012
Final Stats
Corpus Christi, Texas - UT Arlington withstood a furious rally to run its winning streak to eight games with Wednesday night's 77-73 victory over Texas A&M-Corpus Christi at the Dugan Wellness Center.
The Mavericks had as much as a 25-point lead in the first half before battling the Islanders tooth-and-nail down the stretch. UTA never trailed, but was clinging to a 74-73 lead with two minutes remaining.
"Sometimes as a coach you worry about those kinds of leads," UT Arlington coach Scott Cross said. "That could be the worst thing that happens. We hit so many shots."
The Mavericks threatened to bury the Islanders early with a barrage of 3-pointers coupled and with the stifling defense that's built the unbeaten run. Kevin Butler, LaMarcus Reed and Bo Ingram each knocked down two from downtown in the first eight minutes as UTA opened up a 24-3 lead.
The lead ballooned to 33-8 before the Islanders began to show life in the intimate on-campus facility. TAMU-CC finished the first half on a 22-7 run to close the gap to 10 (40-30) going into the break.
Reed, the reigning SLC Player of the Week, took over midway through the second half by forcing his way to the basket. The senior drew foul after foul, shooting 12 free throws in the last 12 minutes of the game. He made 11, and scored 20 after halftime.
"He pretty much put us on his shoulders, especially offensively in that stretch," Cross said.
The winning streak is UTA's longest in four years and keeps the Mavericks (12-5) as the only undefeated team in the Southland Conference. UTA lead the West Division with a 5-0 mark, also the best start in conference play since the 1990-91 squad opened the SLC at 6-0.
Butler finished with 14 points, while Jordan Reves and Shaq White-Miller each added 10. Reves also grabbed 10 boards.
Terence Jones (17 points) and Kennon Dvorak (15 points) helped lead the Islanders comeback. TAMU-CC falls to 2-14 overall and 1-3 in the SLC.
The Mavericks return home for Saturday's meeting with Stephen F. Austin at Texas Hall having put together two consecutive strong performances on the road. UTA didn't trail in victories over both Lamar and TAMU-CC.
