Orem, Utah – UT Arlington men's basketball (11-12, 4-5 WAC) saw its four-game winning streak come to an end Thursday night in Orem, Utah, at the hands of Utah Valley (16-7, 8-1 WAC), 94-73. Guard Kade Douglas, who made his third start of the season, led the Mavs in scoring with 20 on 8-of-10 shooting (4-of-6 from beyond the arc). Forward/center Lance Ware also had his eighth double-double of the season and finished with 10 points, 14 rebounds and a block.
 
"We started off really slow," head coach KT Turner said following the game. "One thing I really pride myself on is having my players tough and to play with fight. Tonight was one night where I feel like they didn't have that and that's what I'm most disappointed in. Offensively I thought we had a lot of open looks and we didn't ring the bell, we didn't knock them down. They're such a good team – you can not make shots against bad teams, but against teams like this, you've got to be able to execute and when you get open shots, you've got to be able to knock them down. If not, the game can get lopsided real quick. We were hesitant tonight, and we can't be like that on Saturday."
 
The Mavs got off to a slow start Thursday night, opening the game 2-of-9 from the field. Utah Valley led by as many as 10 early, but UTA was able to cut it as close as three, at 21-18 thanks to a Jaxon Ellingsworth offensive rebound and put-back. The Wolverines were able to push their advantage to nine again at 33-24. Ellingsworth had seven points in the opening frame off the bench. Despite nine first half points from Douglas, Utah Valley was able to rebuilt its lead to 15 before the break, at 43-28.
 
UTA scored a couple of quick buckets to start the second half, but never got closer than 13 in the second half. Utah Valley led by as many as 29 and never trailed. The Wolverines were led by guard Dominick Nelson, who finished with 19 points, five assists and four boards. Utah Valley shot 14-of-30 from distance, and came away with the 94-73 win.
 
UTA remains on the road to take on Seattle U (9-13, 4-4 WAC) on Saturday, Feb. 8, at the Redhawk Center in Seattle. The game will tip off at 7 p.m. CT and will be broadcast live on ESPN+ and on the radio on the Varsity app, as well as 102.5 FM and KTNO 620 AM with the Voice of the Mavs, Josh Sours. Seattle U defeated Tarleton State 91-54 on Thursday night at home.
   
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