Final Stats

ARLINGTON, Texas - UTA battled to the wire against No. 29 SMU on Thursday at the UTA Tennis Center, but fell 4-1 in a thriller.

SMU (7-2) built up a 3-0 lead early with the doubles point and early advantages in singles, but UTA (8-2) battled back to bring things close. All three of the final matches were close in the third set, but UTA couldn't rally to hold off its first loss at home this season after winning the first eight.

"It was a very good match, it was very very close," UTA coach Diego Benitez said. "I was happy with the effort from the entire team. We fought until the end but unfortunately we couldn't take advantage of the opportunities we had in doubles and they are a tough team. In some positions we were very close. It was a close match and there is a lot of respect between the programs. SMU is one of the best teams in the nation and we look forward to battling against the crosstown rival again."

UTA's nationally ranked doubles squad of Jhonathan Gonzalez and Mauricio Del Rio won at No. 2 doubles 6-4 - UTA entered No. 55 in the nation. However, SMU would claw out 6-3 wins at both No. 1 and 3.

In singles, it appeared the Mustangs would run away with the match, but Gonzalez won at No. 3 with a 6-3, 6-1 win to pull UTA back within 3-1. Mario Muniesa battled with No. 51 Hunter Johnson at No. 2 singles, forcing a third set after taking the tiebreak. However, Johnson would muster things out to edge Muniesa 7-5 in the third to earn the match clincher.