UT Arlington 60, Texas-Pan American 51
EDINBURG, Texas – (UTA Media Relations) Brandon Edwards scored 17 to lead UT Arlington past Texas-Pan American 60-51 in a nonconference game Monday night at UTPA Fieldhouse.
The Mavericks (4-2) concluded a stretch of four consecutive road games with a 3-1 record. UT Arlington to 4-1 away from College park Center this season.
"Our guys played hard," said UT Arlington coach Scott Cross, who celebrated his 38th birthday with a win. "This is a team that plays hard and is well prepared. Our guys did a great job locking down on the defensive end and rebounding the ball."
Edwards reached double figures in scoring for the second time this season and set a new career high. The junior forward knocked down 6 of 7 shots, including his only 3-point attempt, and grabbed seven rebounds.
Senior forwards Karol Gruszecki (12 points) and Kevin Butler (11) also reached double digits. Senior center Jordan Reves had nine points
UT Arlington limited the Broncs (2-6) to 32.7-percent shooting. Five of the Mavericks' six opponents have been held to less than 40-percent shooting. UTA shot 45.5 percent (20-44) and outrebounded UTPA 39-28.
The Mavericks came out fast taking a 9-5 lead less than four minutes into the game. Gruszecki had five points in that opening spurt, including a 3-pointer from the right wing.
UT Arlington padded the league as the half wore on, going up double figures for the first time (22-12) midway through the first. The Mavericks took advantage of a size inside to board the boards and get good looks in close.
UTA took a 30-222 lead into halftime. The Mavericks shot 48 percent (12-15) over the first 20 minutes, while limiting the Broncs to 34.8 percent (8-23). Edwards had eight points and five rebounds to pace UTA in first half. Reves and Butler each had six points.
The Mavericks finally return to College Park Center, but are off for 10 days UT Arlington plays host to Houston Baptist on Dec. 13 at 7 p.m. Five of the next six UTA games are at CPC.