Jan. 12, 2006

Box Score

ARLINGTON - Texas-Arlington guard Jarrett Howell scored 20 points as the Mavericks downed Texas State 83-64 Thursday in Southland Conference play.

UTA entered the game ranked last in the league in three-point shooting percentage (.321) but hit four straight treys that ultimately would seal the win against the Bobcats.

The Mavericks' lead was 62-51 when Brandon Long shot a three-pointer that hit the back rim and bounced above the backboard-mounted shot clock before falling straight through the rim. Long would go on to make two more from behind the arc and Brady Dawkins hit a distant three-pointer during the Mavs' next trip down the floor as UTA built a 71-57 lead.

Texas-Arlington shot 54 percent from the field for the game and made 50 percent of its three-point attempts (8-of-16). Texas State was held to 36 percent shooting in the first half and 41 percent for the game.

After trailing 40-27 at the half, Texas State came out inspired in the second half and would narrow the gap to as few as six points, 44-38 when Jason Rogers knocked down a three-pointer in the corner. Later, a fastbreak layup by Brandon Bush after a blocked shot at the other end would make it a five-point game, 49-44.

The Mavericks regained the momentum with a pair of three-point plays by Larry Posey and Steven Thomas that helped stretch the UTA lead to 55-44 as the Bobcats went through a three-minute scoreless drought. Texas State freshman Trevor Cook would snap the UTA run with a baseline jumper.

A three-pointer by Jason Rogers and a jumper by Jushay Rockett would keep the UTA lead under 10 before the Mavs knocked down the four straight three-pointers.

Thomas finished with 14 points and had seven rebounds for UTA while Posey scored 12 points and had six boards.

Texas State was led by Charles' Dotson's 14-point effort while Rockett fell one rebound shy of a double-double with 12 points and nine boards.

After falling behind early, Chris Langhorne scored back-to-back baskets to pull the Bobcats to within one point, 18-17 midway through the first half.

Following a UTA timeout, the Mavericks went on an 11-0 run to stretch their lead to 29-17 with 7:39 left in the half. Howell, who also had five assists and three blocks in the game, capped the rally with a three-pointer and four straight free throws. He was 7-for-8 from the line.

Texas State would get the lead back down to single figures, going inside to Dotson. The junior college transfer converted on a three-point play and also added a second bucket that cut the UTA lead to 29-20.

Rodrick Epps would drill a three-pointer UTA's next time down the floor and the Bobcats would never get any closer in the half.

Texas State (2-10, 0-2) steps out of Southland Conference play for a MLK Day game against Texas-Pan American next Monday. UTA (8-7, 1-1) is starting Southland play with four of its first five at home in Texas Hall but the Mavericks travel to Lamar Saturday for their first road test.