UTA Loses At Georgia Southern

STATESBORO, Georgia – For a half Thursday night, it appeared the UT Arlington Mavericks had figured out a formula to put an end to their current skid.

The change in approach may prove fruitful yet, but the first returns left the Mavericks on the wrong end of an 82-73 final against Georgia Southern at Hanner Fieldhouse. UTA lost its fourth in a row, dropping to 14-7 overall and 5-5 in the Sun Belt at the midpoint of the conference season.

UT Arlington coach Scott Cross debuted a new opening lineup and tighter rotation. The loss of Kevin Hervey for the season has forced change over the last five games. Kaelon Wilson made his first start of the season and the rotation went just eight deep, instead of the 10 that were getting playing time over the last two weeks.

The Mavs were in control throughout the first half, but the Eagles (9-12, 5-6) wore out the nets from beyond the arc in the second half. Georgia Southern, after shooting 3-14 on 3-pointers in the first half, hit 9-16 from downtown in the second.

Georgia Southern had a trio score at least 20 points – Tookie Brown (26), Mike Hughes (23) and Ike Smith (20). The Eagles outscored UTA 55-39 in the second half.

Jalen Jones led the Mavs with a career-high 24 points, with Wilson adding

19 points and 11 rebounds in his first start March 12, 2015. Kennedy Eubanks, coming off the bench for the first time in five games, scored 10.

The insertion of Wilson into the starting lineup paid dividends right from the tip, with the sophomore guard scoring two quick baskets. The Mavs didn’t find themselves in an early hole, as has been custom during conference play.

UTA jumped out to a 9-3 lead and didn’t trail at any point in the first half. Wilson was hardly the only one providing energy in the opening 20 minutes. Jones came out firing, hitting 4 of 5 3-pointers, several to thwart potential Georgia Southern runs.

Wilson’s steal and layup gave UTA its largest lead of the half at 26-16. Jones’ fourth 3-point put the Mavs up 34-27 going into the locker room.

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