UTA Wins In Overtime

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ARLINGTON, Texas – UT Arlington completed its nonconference schedule on a high note with Saturday afternoon’s 79-75 overtime victory over CSU Bakersfield before 1,137 fans at College Park Center.

“I’m proud of our guys,” UT Arlington coach Scott Cross said. “That’s the one thing we have done well and that’s finishing off games. And for our guys to finish the game in overtime, it’s going to give our guys more confidence is these kinds of games.”

The Mavericks improved to 5-7 going into their first Sun Belt Conference season. UT Arlington plays host to Arkansas State on Jan. 2 to open SBC play.

Senior forward Brandon Edwards and junior guard Lonnie McClanahan came up big down the stretch, as the Mavericks overcame a late deficit to force overtime. Edwards had his seventh double-double with 23 points and 11 rebounds, while McClanahan scored 17 and dished out seven assists.

Senior guard Reger Dowell scored 15 and junior guard Jamel Outler added 11. The Mavericks shot 40 percent for the game (22-55), but made 4-6 shots in overtime.

UT Arlington led throughout the first half, but the Roadrunners (6-7) made a push in the second

half to tie at the game at 46-46 with 11 minutes to play. CSUB took its first lead since early in the game at 51-50 with 5:38 remaining.

The Mavericks found themselves down 56-52 with three minutes left. McClanahan tied it with a driving dunk at 56-all. CSUB guard Javonte Maynor answered with a 3-pointer with 1:38 left. Taking a pass from McClanahan, Edwards came right back with a 3-point play – slam and free throw – with 1:30 remaining.

The Roadrunners drilled another 3-pointer, but the Mavericks followed with two free throws from Outler and McClanahan’s 3-point play to give UTA a 64-62 edge with 40.5 seconds left.

CSUB went back on top 65-64 on another 3 from Maynor. The Mavericks started their last possession with 19.1 seconds left and worked the ball to Dowell. Finding a crease to the basket, Dowell was fouled and made of two foul shots to force overtime.

After Outler tied the game at 68-68 with a 3-pointer, the Mavericks didn’t trail again in OT. McClanahan and Edwards helped ice away the win in the final minute.

Both teams struggled offensively for much of the first half. The Mavericks began to get some separation after Dowell, Edwards and junior forward Vincent Dillard connected on 3-pointers on three straight possessions for 24-15 lead.

UTA had as much as an 11-point advantage in the first half and went into the locker room up 30-22. Dowell and Edwards combined for 21 points through 20 minutes.

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