LAS VEGAS – The fourth-seeded UT Arlington Mavericks (17-13, 9-9 WAC) open play in the 2026 Air Force Reserve WAC Basketball Tournament on Thursday in the quarterfinals against the fifth-seeded Southern Utah Thunderbirds (10-21, 6-12 WAC). Game time is set for 6 p.m. in Orleans Arena (8 p.m. CT).
UTA rides into the contest on a two-game winning streak. In each of their last six wins, the Mavs have held their opponents under 65 points.
This is the fourth meeting of the season between the Mavs and Trailblazers. UTA won the first two meetings (86-77 on the road and 80-61 at home) before falling 78-73 in the most recent tilt (Feb. 14 in Arlington). UTA reached the WAC Championship Game in 2024, head coach KT Turner's first year, and lost in the quarterfinals at WAC Vegas a year ago.
A pair of Mavericks were honored by the league's coaches Tuesday, as senior guard Marcell McCreary was named Second-Team All-WAC while freshman guard Jordan Lowery claimed All-Freshman Team honors.
The game will be broadcast live on ESPN+ and will air live on the radio on the Varsity Network App with the Voice of the Mavs, Josh Sours, on the call.
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