Recap | Final Stats | Notes | Photo Gallery | USATSI Photo Gallery

UTA (7-3) 65 at No. 12 Saint Mary's (6-1) 51
Thursday, December 8, 2016
McKeon Pavilion • Moraga, Calif.

Postgame Quotes

UTA Head Coach Scott Cross
"I think (Saint Mary's) is by far the best team we've ever beaten. I watched them on film and I have never seen a better offensive basketball team. And, defensively, they don't make many mistakes, either. They are so solid. They make you have to hit shots. I felt like we would have to play our very, very best to beat them and I think our guys did that tonight. Our intensity was as good as, or better, than it has been this year. Our guys were locked-in and efficient offensively.

"Jorge (Bilbao) and Erick (Neal) were able to manipulate the ball screens tonight. Julian (Harris) and Link (Kabadyundi) were able to get a couple of easy rolls. If we can continue to execute a little better off the ball screen, I think this team is going to get better and better offensively.

"Limiting (Saint Mary's) to just 51 points was just incredible. Credit to our guys. It showed that if we stick together and guard as a team, we can defend just about anybody. We don't see a better offensive te proud of our guys.am than Saint Mary's. KenPpm has then rated as the second most efficient offense in the country. So, I'm really, really proud of our guys.

"(The win) shows us the potential of this team. Our conference is so tough, we can't look ahead. Our team has improved as we break things down and take them possession by possession. If we start looking at the big picture, reading our headlines, we lose focus. If this team plays this way, they are capable of doing some special things. We are going to have to play unbelievable to win the conference. Teams like Arkansas State, who coaches didn't have ranked highly, beats Georgetown. There are a lot of teams that are playing great basketball on our league.

"This is the best year the Sun Belt has had, so far. We are ranked 14th in most of the rankings. This win might move us up a bit higher. I have a ton of respect for the teams we are about to play in the Sun Belt.

"Kevin Hervey is only going to get better. He is still not playing at 100 percent. He is playing with confidence. Once that knee gets better, our team will improve even more."