Final Stats | Quotes | Notes

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa -- The UT Arlington men's basketball team was unable to overcome one of the country's top defensive units tonight as the Mavericks shot a season low 37.5 percent in a 62-58 setback to Northern Iowa in the McLeod Center.

UTA forward Kevin Hervey paced the Mavericks with a team-high 17 points, while point guard Erick Neal added 14 points and seven assists as UTA (7-2) dropped only its second decision of the season. Center Johnny Hamilton equaled his UTA career best with 15 rebounds.

Northern Iowa (7-2), ranked 26th in the NCAA's most recent ratings percentage index (RPI), was led by hot-shooting forward Klint Carlson's 24 points on 8-of-13 from the field and 6-of-8 from behind the 3-point arc. Guard Spencer Haldeman was the only other Panther in double figures with 10 points.

UTA returns to action Saturday against another high-profile mid-major program when it hosts Florida Gulf Coast University in a 2 p.m. tipoff in College Park Center. Fans are encouraged to wear black to the game and every fan in attendance will receive a special UTA "blackout" t-shirt. All youth aged 18 and under are admitted free for every UTA men and women's basketball game through Jan. 6. Call (817) 272-9595 or visit UTATIckets.com.

Led by Carlson's near-perfect first half shooting performance, the Panthers led by as many as nine first half points before the Mavericks closed the gap to just four points at the break.

UTA went on a scoring run and led by as many as seven points midway through the second half before Northern Iowa regained its scoring touch and closed out the game by making seven of its last nine shots.

UNI led by seven points with 2:57 remaining before 3-pointers by Kaelon Wilson and Hervey cut the Panthers lead to just one point with :50 second left. Haldeman hit a 3-pointer with :25 seconds on the clock to provide the final margin.

Northern Iowa won its seventh game in as many attempts with its only setbacks this season coming at the hands of top 10 ranked North Carolina and Villanova.

HOLIDAY HOOPS YOUTH TICKETS
For the entire month of December (through Jan. 6), all youth ages 18 and under will be admitted free to UTA home men and women's basketball games. Tickets are available at the College Park Center box office prior to each game.

PURCHASE UTA HOME GAME TICKETS
Single game, group and specially-priced multi-game ticket packages to attend UTA men and women's basketball events are on sale through the UTA Box Office in person or by calling (817) 272-8585 and online through UTATickets.com. Single game tickets are priced at $8, $12 and $25 per game, depending on seat location. UTA students and faculty staff tickets are available for just $5 per game. Discount Maverick Club (season) and general public (single game) parking is also available. Visit UTATickets.com for detailed information.

FOLLOW THE MAVS SOCIALLY
For up-to-date news, photos, videos and updates you can follow UTA sports program online at UTAMavs.com or via any of several social media accounts on twitter @UTAMavs, Instagram @UTAMavs, Snapchat @UTAMavs and Facebook at UTArlingtonAthletics. Follow the UTA basketball programs on Twitter at @UTA_MBB and @LadyMavHoops.