Jan. 23, 2012

Arlington, Texas - UT Arlington Men's Basketball Game Preview

UT Arlington (13-5, 6-0 Southland Conference) vs. Houston Baptist (6-12)

Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2012 - 7 pm CT

Houston, Texas (Sharp Gym)

Radio: KVCE-AM (1160)/kvceradio.com

Series: UTA leads 16-6

HBU Game notes

UT Arlington is back on the road for the third time in four games with Tuesday night's visit to Houston Baptist. The Mavericks are shooting for their 10th consecutive victory, which would set a school record. UTA's current nine-game winning streak is tied with the 2003-04 Mavericks for the longest in school history.

"HBU is a very dangerous team that has a lot of offensive weapons," UTA head coach Scott Cross said. "We must be focused and intense on defense for 40 minutes in order to keep our winning streak alive."

UTA is coming off a 63-54 victory over Stephen F. Austin in the last game ever at Texas Hall. LaMarcus Reed scored 17 to lead the Mavericks in a game filled with emotion from the start. UTA moves into the College Park Center after playing at Texas Hall since 1965.

"It was a big one for us. It was one I really wanted to win," Cross said after Saturday's victory. "I didn't tell the guys, but you always want to win the last game. We've had a great run here at Texas Hall. We've been fortunate to win a lot of game here, and that part we're going to miss a little bit. "We have to establish that at the College Park Center. This place has been good memories, but I couldn't be more ready to move on. I'm just itching to go into that Taj Mahal. It's going to be exciting."

The Mavericks begin the week ranked No. 19 in the collegeinsider.com Mid-Major Top 25 poll, up from No. 25 last week. UTA is also up to No. 88 in the USA Today Sagarin rankings after being No. 99 last week.

UTA is meeting HBU for the 23rd time. The Mavericks lead the series 16-6, including a 7-4 record in Houston. UTA has also won the last 11 meetings overall and five straight at HBU.