Dec. 13, 2008

UTA-Marshall Box Score

2008-09 UTA Mavericks Statistics

Huntington, Wv. - The UTA Mavericks couldn't withstand three Marshall runs as they lost for their third consecutive game 81-68 in Huntington, Wv. Saturday.

Marshall registered runs of 15-2 and 12-2 in the second half and a 16-1 run at the end of the first 20 minutes to erase an early 18-point UTA advantage.

"We came out strong in the first half and gave them our best punch," said UTA head coach Scott Cross. "But Marshall came back and gave us a right cross to get back into the game."

UTA lead by three at halftime and quickly extended their lead to nine at 49-40 early in the second half. Marshall then used their 15-2 run to take a 55-51 lead that they would hold for the remainder of the game.

The keys to the game turned out to be some hot shooting by Marshall in the second half and they also took advantage of 11 Mavericks turnovers.

Marshall was shooting just 36% for the game when the Mavs led by 18 but that number increased to 46% by the end of the first half. In the second half, the Herd made 15-of-26 field goals (58%) and finished shooting 52% for the game.

The Mavs committed 22 turnovers in the game. However in the first half, Marshall converted 11 turnovers to into just six points. They took advantage of the 11 second half UTA miscues by converting them into 18 points.

"They picked up their defense and shot the ball well in the second half," said Cross. "It was hard for us to score in the second half and that was a difference in the game."

The Mavs tied the game with 5:36 to play when Marquez Haynes tied it with a driving layup at 64. From there the Herd used their third big run of the game - 12-2 - to seal the victory.

Marshall's Tyler Wilkerson was a big part of that run and in the second half as he scored 16 of his game-high 21 points in the final 20 minutes. He also grabbed seven of his 11 rebounds after halftime.

"Wilkerson really helped them in the second half," said Cross. "He was able to get some easy baskets and that helped them build some confidence as the game went on."

Brandon Long, who missed the Mavs last game, came off the bench and scored a season-high 20 points. He was followed by Haynes who had 14. Tyler Wilkerson had to lead the Herd. Tommy Moffitt added a career-high 15 rebounds for UTA.

The 68 points also marked the third consecutive game the Mavericks were held under 70 points as they dropped to 4-4. Marshall improved to the same record with the victory. The game was close at the outset as there were five lead changes and the game was tied twice in the early stages.

UTA then started to pull away and build what would become an 18-point lead at 39-21. That lead evaporated from that point as Marshall finished the half on a 16-1 run.

The Mavs bench was strong in the first 20 minutes as they scored 23 of the team's 40 points lead by Long's 11.

The Mavericks have a week off from games before playing at Baylor next Saturday at 8:30 p.m.