Jan. 10, 2015

Final Stats | Photo Gallery

By Art Garcia | UTAMavs.com

ARLINGTON, Texas - The UT Arlington men snapped a two-game Sun Belt Conference losing streak with Saturday night's convincing 77-50 victory over Arkansas State at College Park Center.

The Mavericks improved to 9-6 overall and 3-2 in the Sun Belt. UTA also snapped a 13-game losing skid to the Red Wolves, who dropped to 6-8 and 1-4.

Arkansas State's 50 points tied a season low for a UTA opponent this season. The Red Wolves shot 31 percent.

"I'm really proud of the guys," UT Arlington coach Scott Cross said. "I thought our zone [defense] was really good. I'm glad to see that because I've been wanting to use zone a little more. I felt our zone was the best I've seen all season long."

UTA was a study in depth and balance, with 10 Mavericks logging at least 12 minutes and four scoring at least 11 points. Senior forward Greg Gainey set the tone early and finished with a season-high 13 points. Junior guard Johnny Hill had a team-high 14 points, senior guard Lonnie McClanahan added 12 and freshman forward Kevin Hervey had 11.

Hill, Hervey and forward Jorge Bilbao each grabbed at least five rebounds, as UTA won the battle of the boards 41-32. The Mavericks also made 23 of 29 free throws to enjoy a 15-point edge at the line.

The Mavericks didn't waste any time taking control with a 21-8 lead less than eight minutes into the contest. Gainey was especially aggressive early with two 3-pointers to open the game and eight of UTA's first 11 points.

Sophomore guard Drew Charles drilled a 3-pointer on the break for a 26-8 lead, forcing a timeout from Arkansas State midway through the half. The Mavericks would lead by as many as 21 and took a 39-19 advantage into the locker room.

Gainey and Hill each scored eight in the first half, with Hervey adding six points off the bench. The Mavericks' reserves outscored their counterparts 22-1 through the first 20 minutes.

Arkansas State shot only 20.7 percent (6-29) and its point total was an opponent low for a half this season.

The Red Wolves got as close as 14 (41-27) two minutes into the second half before UTA responded with a 13-2 spurt to go up 25 points. The lead would eventually surpass 30 on the way to UTA's second-largest win this season.

Sean Gardner paced Arkansas State with 16 points.

NOTES: Freshman G Erick Neal made his first career start in Cross' ninth different starting lineup this season. Hill came off the bench for only the second time this season. ... The game was stopped for several minutes early in the first half after official Steve Pyatt collapsed on the baseline. He was taken to a local hospital for evaluation. ... Charles returned after missing one game due to injury. ... UTA snapped a two-game losing streak when leading at halftime.

UP NEXT: Thursday at Georgia State, 6 p.m. CT (KKGM 1630 AM).