OVERALL
UTA splits with Arkansas State, losing the first game on Friday in overtime, and winning the second game on Saturday on an amazing buzzer-beater layup by Shahada Wells.
Game 1 – Friday – uta 75, arkansas state 83 (OT)
After UTA had held the lead for most of the first half, the second half was a game of runs. Down by 13 by with 14 minutes left, Arkansas State went on a 13 to 2 run over about a 4 minute span to get the deficit down to 1. UTA would quickly get the lead back to 8 with about 7 minutes remaining and even lead by as much as 7 with about 4 minutes left, but Arkansas State would outscore UTA 14-7 run to close the game (including a Caleb Fields jumper with 7 seconds left ) and send it into overtime. From there, Arkansas State outscored UTA 15-7 in overtime to win the first game of the series. UTA shot 50% from the floor to lead 35-26 at halftime, but shot just 28% in the second half. UTA was outrebounded 52-36. UTA continues to get stellar play from their guards, with Sam Griffin scoring a career-high 28 (including 4-10 from outside) and Shahada Wells scoring 19. Jordan Phillips had another good game, scoring 13. Kaodirichi Akobundu-Ehiogu has become a huge defensive presence for the Mavs, blocking 6 shots and getting 9 rebounds. He also had a highlight-reel alley oop (see below). Arkansas State’s Norchad Omier, a freshman, had a huge game, scoring 15 and getting 20 rebounds. UTA was without David Azore and Lazaro Rojas (who have missed 8 and 7 games due to injury).
Check out Kao’s alley-oop:
| Record | 1 | 2 | OT | Final | |
| UT Arlington | 8-9, 4-5 Sun Belt | 35 | 33 | 7 | 75 |
| Arkansas State | 6-8, 3-4 Sun Belt | 26 | 42 | 15 | 83 |
| FG | 3 PT | FT | Leading Scorers | |
| UT Arlington | 38.6% | 9-24 37.5 | 13-15 86.7 | Griffin 28 Wells 19 Phillips 13 |
| Arkansas State | 40.3 | 8-21 38.1% | 17-19 89.5% | Eaton 18 Omier 15 Farrington 15 |
Game 2 – Friday – uta 65, arkansas state 64
A thrilling finish to the second game in the series and a much-needed win to stay at .500 in Sun Belt play. After being down by 6 at halftime, UTA went 8-17 from outside in the second half and cut an 8-point Arkansas State lead with 4:57 left down 1 with 10 seconds left. After an Arkansas State missed free throw with 7 seconds left, Shahada Wells went the length of the court for a layup with 1 second left to win the game. UTA committed 17 turnovers but was much better on the glass in this game, outrebounding Arkansas State 37-34. Griffin scored 23 points on 8-17 FG, including 5-9 from outside. Wells scored 21 on 9-16 FG, including 3-6 from outside. Kaodirichi Akobundu-Ehiogu had another great game, with 6 points, 6 rebounds and 2 blocks. UTA was without David Azore and Lazaro Rojas (who have missed 9 and 8 games due to injury).
The game-winning shot:
| Record | 1 | 2 | Final | |
| UT Arlington | 9-9, 5-5 Sun Belt | 25 | 40 | 65 |
| Arkansas State | 6-9, 3-5 Sun Belt | 31 | 33 | 64 |
| FG | 3 PT | FT | Leading Scorers | |
| UT Arlington | 42.1% | 9-23 39.1% | 8-11 72.7% | Griffin 23 Wells 21 |
| Arkansas State | 41.5% | 5-18 27.8% | 5-6 83.3% | Eaton 14 Omier 14 |
Next series: 2 games against Louisiana-Monroe Friday and Saturday (Louisiana-Monroe is 2-8 in Sun Belt play, losing both games at Little Rock this weekend).
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The Rusty Maverick 