Dec. 21, 2016
Tickets | Watch | Listen | | UTA Notes | LMU Notes
ARLINGTON, Texas -- A pair of programs each looking to keep win streaks alive face off Thursday when the UTA men's basketball team travels to Southern California to take on host Loyola Marymount.
Tipoff in LMU's Gersten Pavilion is scheduled for 9 p.m. (CST). Links to live audio, video and statistical coverage are available on UTAMavs.com. UTA broadcaster Josh Sours will be provide a description of the game for KEXB 620 AM throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, as well as on the popular TuneIn app via the Internet.
UTA enters Thursday's game with a 9-3 overall record and an 8-game win streak following last week's 56-51 victory at Bradley. The Mavericks are ranked second in this week's CollegeInsider.com Mid-Major Top 25 and claim victories at Texas and then No. 12 Saint Mary's among its current streak of 5-straight road wins.
Junior point guard Erick Neal ranks among the national leaders in assists and has moved into fifth on UTA's career list for total assists. The Dallas native is a key part of the Mavs' perimeter unit that leads the nation in 3-point field goal defense.
Classmate Kevin Hervey leads the team in scoring and rebounding with averages of 13.7 points and 6.9 rebounds per game. A native of Arlington, Hervey has scored in double figures in six straight games with three double doubles during that time.
LMU enters the game with a 6-3 overall record and owns a 4-game win streak. The Lions have won their last three games by a total of five points: 69-68 at CSUN, 91-90 (OT) vs. Incarnate Word and 69-66 at Colorado State. Two of its three losses were by a total of four points: 62-65 against UConn and 79-80 against Boise State - both at home.
LMU leads the West Coast Conference in steals per game (7.4) and is among the leaders in turnover margin (0.8), assists (16.7), fewest fouls and turnovers and offensive rebounds per game (13.22). Brandon Brown leads the team in scoring (15.8) and assists (4.6) and is playing 32.4 minutes per game.
The Lions are coached by former NBA Charlotte Bobcats head coach Mike Dunlap. The 1980 LMU grad is 28-43 in his third season and is 356-148 in his 17th season as a college head coach.
The Mavericks return home to open Sun Belt Conference play on Saturday, Dec. 31 against league newcomer Coastal Carolina. Single game, group and specially-priced multi-game ticket packages are available online at UTATickets.com. Enter promo code "TV" to be entered to win a television. All youth ages 18 and under are admitted free of charge.
Click here for a complete list of this season's game promotions.
The 2017 Sun Belt Conference Men's and Women's Basketball Championships are scheduled for a week of March Madness in the Big Easy. New Orleans will once again be home to the two championships that will take place at Lakefront Arena from March 7-12 and ticket books can now be purchased from your school's ticket office. For more information, visit the Sun Belt Conference's championship central websites - Men's Championship - Women's Championship - and be sure to follow the #FunBelt on social media - @SunBelt.
