UTA Downs Louisiana-Monroe

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MONROE, Louisiana – UT Arlington junior guard Lonnie McClanahan scored 23 and the Mavericks snapped a three-game losing streak with Thursday night’s 85-74 win over UL Monroe at Fant-Ewing Coliseum.

UT Arlington improved to 10-13 overall and 5-6 in the Sun Belt Conference, moving a game ahead of the Warhawks (7-12, 4-7) in the league standings. The Mavericks swept the two-game season series with ULM.

“It gives us the tiebreaker,” UT Arlington Scott Cross said. “They’ve beat some good teams and they’re a tough team to play.

“Our guys came ready to play. I was on our guys all week long and I’m proud of them for responding.”

McClanahan made 8-15 shots from the floor, and led UTA in scoring for the third time in the last four games. Senior forward Brandon Edwards added 19 points and seven rebounds.

Senior guard Reger Dowell (17 points) and junior guard Jamel Outler (10 points) also scored in double figures. It marked the 10th time this season UTA had at least four players score at least 10 points.

The Mavericks shot 46.8 percent (29-62) and held the Warhawks to 42.1 percent (24-57). UT Arlington won the rebound battled 40-29 and enjoyed a 40-28 edge in points in the paint.

“It was a great all-around game,” Cross said. “I’m really proud of the guys. I just felt

like everybody did what they needed to do. At times we struggled with stops, but we played hard.”

The game went back and forth in the early going, with the lead changing hands five times in the first 10 minutes. The Mavericks reeled off a 7-0 run to go up 26-23, leading to a timeout from ULM.

UT Arlington took a 39-33 edge into the locker room, with the final basket coming off an emphatic follow dunk from junior center Anthony Walker. Edwards led UTA with 11 points at the break, followed by 10 from McClanahan.

The Mavericks came out of the locker room active at both ends and raced out to a 57-45 lead. ULM gradually cut into the deficit and was down just 63-61 with less than eight minutes left.

UTA responded with a 6-0 spurt to regain control and some breathing room. The Mavericks were able to hold on down the stretch for their first win since beating South Alabama on Jan. 25.

Senior guard Shaquille White-Miller missed the game with an injury after starting the previous 11 games. Freshman forward Jorge Bilbao made his third start of the season and grabbed seven rebounds.

The Mavericks return to action Saturday night at 7:30 p.m. at College Park Center against longtime rival Texas State. UTA beat the Bobcats 56-48 last month in San Marcos.

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