Jan. 7, 2012
Final Stats
Arlington, Texas - LaMarcus Reed III paced another impressive effort, as UT Arlington won its fifth consecutive game by overwhelming Nicholls State 85-55 Saturday night at Texas Hall.
The Mavericks (9-5) remained unbeaten in Southland Conference play at 2-0, with 34.5 points being the average margin of victory in the two games. UTA smothered off Southeastern Louisiana 85-46 on Wednesday.
UT Arlington coach Scott Cross has been impressed by the focus and intensity, especially on the defensive end, through the first two games of conference play.
"Just to get to 2-0," Cross answered when asked what he was most pleased with. "The guys took care of the ball, rebounded well and didn't turn it over."
The Mavericks got going early and continued to take it to Nicholls. Reed and Brandon Edwards were especially active early, as UT Arlington extended its lead into double figures less than 11 minutes into the league contest.
Edwards did his damage on the offensive boards, cleaning up several misses with power moves to the rim. Reed was his usual smooth self, taking what the Nicholls' defense gave him.
A 15-2 run by UTA turned a 12-9 lead into a 27-11 advantage. The Mavericks weren't hardly done putting the pressure on. Edwards sparked a 10-0 spurt for a 42-18 edge with 2 1/2 minutes left in the first half.
Reed scored 11 and Edwards added 10 as UT Arlington took a 45-23 led into the locker room after another solid half of play.
Reed finished with 15 points on 5-of-10 shooting. Edwards added eight rebounds, with Jordan Reves scoring 13. Kevin Butler came up big with 13 points and 13 boards.
"What a job Kevin Butler did tonight, 13 and 13," Cross said.
The Mavericks own six victories of at least 27 points this season, the five-game wining streak is a season high and the program is receiving votes in the Mid-Major poll. UTA shot 50 percent for the game.
"The guys moved the ball around well and we executed offensively for the most part," Cross said.
UTA snapped a three-game losing streak to Nicholls and leads the series against the Colonels 24-19. The Mavericks are also 12-8 against Nicholls in Arlington.
UTA is back at Texas Hall on Wednesday against Sam Houston, the third of three consecutive home games to open the SLC slate.
