Final Stats | Quotes | Notes

CONWAY, S.C. (AP) -- Despite being down by as many as 16 second half points, the UTA men's basketball team still had a chance to earn a road win at Coastal Carolina Monday night.

The Mavericks mounted a fierce comeback but came up just inches short when Kevin Hervey's half-court shot at the buzzer bounced off the rim and the Mavericks fell 72-70 to the Chanticleers in The HTC Center.

Hervey led all scorers with 23 points and 12 rebounds, but UTA was unable to claim its fifth straight Sun Belt victory. The Mavericks fell to 16-6 on the season and 6-3 in league play. Coastal Carolina snapped a 3-game losing skid to improve to 10-12 overall and 5-4 against Sun Belt competition.

UTA returns to action Saturday with a 4:30 p.m. (CST) home contest against Texas State in College Park Center. Tickets are available online at UTATickets.com or by calling the UTA Box Office during weekday business hours at (817) 272-9595. Special group and team ticket packages are available.

UTA shot 35.2 percent from the field and made just seven of its 33 3-point attempts. The Mavericks gave-up 51 rebounds, the most for a UTA opponent this season. Coastal Carolina converted 21 of its 32 free throw attempts.

Coastal Carolina led 62-46 with 8:45 left. Hervey hit a jumper inside to start a 22-7 run as the Mavericks pulled to within one with :20 seconds remaining. Hervey capped the run with a 3-pointer before Shaw and Beck each made three free throws to put the Chanticleers back ahead by four points at 72-68 with :08 left on the clock.

Hervey made the first two of three free throws after being fouled on a 3-pointer by CCU's Colton Ray-St Cyr with :02.6 seconds left. After he purposely missed the third free throw, UTA was called for a foul on the ensuing rebound.

Demario Beck missed both free throws. Hervey grabbed the rebound, took two dribbles and released a shot from just beyond half court that bounced off the side of the rim as the buzzer sounded.

Jaylen Shaw had 20 points and Beck added 15 while grabbing a career-high 16 rebounds to lead Coastal Carolina. Elijah Wilson added 10 points for the Chanticleers (10-12, 5-4 Sun Belt), which defeated UTA for the first time in program history.

Jorge Bilbao added 8 points and 13 rebounds for the Mavericks, who came back from 15 points down in the second half to beat Appalachian State 83-67 on Saturday.