UTA Defeats South Alabama
ARLINGTON, Texas – UT Arlington dominated inside and turned in its best shooting performance of the season in Saturday night’s 99-87 Sun Belt Conference victory over South Alabama.
The Mavericks extended their winning streak to five to improve to 8-4 overall, their best 12-game start since opening the 2007-08 season 10-2, before 1,503 fans at College Park Center. UTA is also 2-0 in Sun Belt play going into Monday night’s visit to Troy.
“It was a great win,” UT Arlington coach Scott Cross said. “Wins are hard to come by at home, on the road. I’m just glad to be 2-0 right now.”
Center Anthony Walker led UTA’s game-long attack on the rim, dunking his way to a career-high 14 points. A season-high five Mavericks scored at least 10 points, with guard Lonnie McClanahan (14), guard Drew Charles (12), guard Johnny Hill (15) and forward Greg Gainey (10) also reaching double figures.
Walker’s previous career high was 11 points last season against Oklahoma.
“It was a pretty amazing,” Walker said. “I had a long talk with
my roommate (Hill) about how I was going to play and it worked.”
The Mavericks shot 59.7 percent, easily besting their 50-percent showings against Houston Baptist and Howard Payne. UTA enjoyed an overwhelming 70-26 edge in points in the paint, and racked up a season-high 24 assists in scoring a season high.
“That was probably the best all-around offensive game by us,” Cross said.
Crisp and decision passing led to good looks, especially at the rim. Five Mavericks had at least three assists, led by Hill’s seven.
“We’re not going to settle for jump shots,” Hill said.
UTA also dominated on the glass with a 40-25 rebound advantage. Forward Kevin Hervey and Charles each grabbed eight boards.
Just as they did in Tuesday’s win over Georgia Southern, the Mavericks were the aggressors early and jumped out to a big lead. South Alabama (2-10, 0-2) called two timeouts in the first four minutes after falling behind 15-2.
Forward Brandon Williams hit two jump hooks, sandwiched around a Hill dunk, for a quick 6-0 lead that forced the first stoppage from USA. Slams by Kevin Hervey and Walker, plus a 3-point from guard Jamel Outler and guard Erick Neal’s breakaway layup pushed UTA’s lead to 13.
The Mavericks continued to play with pace and took a 55-34 advantage into halftime thanks a number of high-percentage looks. UTA outscored the Jaguars 40-12 in paint, with Gainey and Walker especially busy inside.
The two seniors each scored 10 off the bench, combining to make 9 of 10 shots. The Mavericks connected on 68.6 percent from the floor (24-35) and dished out 14 assists. Hill had six assists at the break.
