Dec. 3, 2013

Final Stats

ARLINGTON, Texas - Brandon Edwards scored 16 and grabbed 10 rebounds as UT Arlington snapped a five-game losing streak by overwhelming Dallas Baptist 81-53 Tuesday night before 1,161 fans at College Park Center.

"That was a great birthday present," UT Arlington coach Scott Cross said on his 39th birthday. "I was proud of the guys. Dallas Baptist is the kind of team that can sneak up on you. They probably didn't play their best basketball game, but that has a lot to do with how our guys played on defense."

The Mavericks improved to 3-6 after ending the program's longest skid in three years. UT Arlington looks to make it two in row Saturday night with Weber State visiting College Park Center for a 7:30 tip.

"It felt great to get back in the win column," Edwards said. "We've been trying to get this win, so getting this win should help us get back on the right track."

Edwards, the country's 14th-leading rebounder, recorded his sixth double-double of the season and added four blocks. Senior guard Reger Dowell, the 10th-leading scorer, had 15 points.

Lonnie McClanahan (13 points and season-high eight assists) set the table for the Mavericks, especially in the first half. The aggressiveness from the junior guard helped UTA get out to a double-digit lead midway through the first half.

UT Arlington took a 46-24 advantage into the locker room, the team's second-largest halftime lead this season. The Mavericks had a 26-point edge (59-33) over Howard Payne on Nov. 13.

The Mavericks took advantage of their good looks at the basket to shoot 59.3 percent in the first half and 45.2 percent for the game. UTA won the rebound battle 54-32, turned the ball over just 10 times and registered 15 assists on 28 field goals.

The Mavericks struggled some to start the second half, needing nearly five minutes to score. Senior guard Kyle McElvain's 3-pointer from the corner ended the drought and UTA was never threatened going down the stretch.

Junior guard Jamel Outler (nine points) made his first start of the season, while junior center Stuart Lagerson (four blocks) was back with the opening unit for the first time in five games.

Cross was able to use his bench extensively, with all 13 players seeing action and 11 logging at least 10 minutes.