Jan. 4, 2012
Final Stats
Arlington, Texas - UT Arlington began its last Southland Conference season with Wednesday night's 85-46 runaway victory over Southeastern Louisiana at Texas Hall.
The Mavericks (8-5, 1-0) broke open a close game with a 41-10 run that bridged the first and second halves. A combination of outside marksmanship and acrobatic forays to the basket did in the Lions, who dropped to 5-7 and 0-1.
"It was a great opener," UT Arlington coach Scott Cross said. "Our guys really buckled down. I think our zone was really good for us in the second half. Our guys did a great job of getting some stops."
Bo Ingram may have connected on the basket of the night with a twisting, falling, scoop off the backboard that extended the Mavericks' lead past 20 early in the second half. UTA's advantage reached as high as 41.
Five of the Mavericks' eight victories have been at least 26 points.
It's been a while since the Mavericks enjoyed the comforts of home. UTA last played at Texas Hall on Nov. 28, a span of 37 days. There are only three home games left at Texas Hall before the program moves into the College Park Center for the Feb. 1 opener against UTSA.
UTA leads the all-time series against the Lions 21-4, including a perfect record of 12-0 in Arlington. The Mavericks have also won the last five against SLU.
The SLC foes struggled to find offensive consistency for most of the first half, as the nearly every shot was contested at both ends.
"We started off a little slow offensively, but we finally got in rhythm and got some easy shot," Cross said. "I love our team. We have to keep it going."
The Mavericks began to get some separation on consecutive three-point plays by Kevin Butler and Brandon Edwards to take a 23-18 lead. The forwards each scored at the rim, getting fouled in the process.
UTA extended its run to 13-0 on a jumper from Stuart Lagerson, a 3-pointer from Ingram and two free throws from LaMarcus Reed III. What was once a deficit had turned into a 30-18 Mavericks' lead.
The advantage reached 17 before Butler drained a 3-pointer from the corner as the first half expired. The Mavericks went into the locker room up 40-26.
Butler and Reed each scored a team-high 16 points. Five other Mavericks notched at least seven points, as Cross used all 12 active players.
UTA overcame a slow start to shoot 46.2 percent (30-65) from the floor. The Mavericks also won the battle of the boards 44-35 and forced 19 turnovers from the Lions.
The Mavericks continue their three-game homestand Saturday at 7 p.m. against Nicholls.
