ARLINGTON, Texas – UT Arlington men's basketball (7-7) is set to open Western Athletic Conference league play beginning Saturday, Jan. 4, when the Mavs travel to in-state foe Tarleton State. That game tips off at 7 p.m. in Stephenville and will be broadcast live on
ESPN+, and on the radio on the Varsity App, 102.5 FM and KTNO 620 AM with the Voice of the Mavs, Josh Sours.
UTA is coming off an impressive 80-72 win at Texas State on Dec. 29 and the Mavericks were led by WAC Player and Newcomer of the Week
Lance Ware's 19 points and 12 rebounds, as well as forward
Diante Smith's 24-point performance off the bench.
UTA's next opponent, Tarleton State, is off to a 5-10 start following a 70-60 home win over Florida A&M on Dec. 29, the Texans' second straight win.
The Texans are led by head coach Billy Gillespie, who is in his fifth season as the head coach in Stephenville. Gillespie was the head coach at Ranger JC (2015-20), Texas Tech (2011-12), Kentucky (2007-09), Texas A&M (2004-07) and UTEP (2002-04), and has been an assistant at Illinois, Tulsa, Baylor and Texas State.
Tarleton State, who has three players averaging double-figure scoring, is led by guard Bubu Benjamin, who is averaging a team-high 17.1 ppg and 5.2 rpg. Forwards Keitenn Bristow (14.5 ppg, 5.5 rpg) and Ronnie Harrison, Jr. (10.6 ppg and 4.1 rpg), are also key fixtures for the Texans.
The Mavs and Texans met three times last season, with Tarleton State claiming both regular season matchups, each by two points apiece, and the Mavs knocked the Texans out of the WAC semifinals in Las Vegas with a three-point victory, 87-84. This will be the 15
th all-time meeting between the two programs, with UTA holding a 9-5 advantage dating back to 1965.
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