>>11.23.05
Overmatched Comets Give Div. I
UT-Arlington All It Can Handle
UT-Arlington 84, UTD 74

ARLINGTON, TX - Someone forgot to tell the UTD men's basketball team it probably didn't belong on the same court as NCAA Division I UT-Arlington Wednesday night. The Comets (0-3) put together an impressive showing against the more athletic and physical Mavericks before falling by just 10 points, 84-74.

The Division III Comets did not back down at all against the physically impressive UTA squad, which was coming off a game against the University of Miami and will play nationally-ranked University of Texas next month. The Comets kept the game close throughout with lights-out shooting (hitting over 64% - 29 of 45 - from the floor) and nailing 11 of 22 three-point attempts.

Martin Salinas (above left) paced UTD with 20 points, connecting on 5 of 11 threes while Jay Swafford (above right) continued his torid, early-season pace with a 17-point night, which included three long-range buckets. The pair have combined for 29 three-point shots and are both averaging over 15 points per game through the first three outings.

UTA was able to overmatch the Comets inside, where they forced UTD into 20 fouls that translated into 17 points from the free-throw line. The Mavericks' pressing defense also coerced the Comets into 18 turnovers, many of which were converted into quick inside baskets.

UTD actually put a scare into UTA early, jumping out to an early lead with some crisp offensive basketball. Twelve minutes into the game, the score was still tied at 24-24 with the Comets missing just twice in 11 attempts from the field. UTD cut the Maverick lead to just one (32-33) with 3:10 left on a Tyrone Hurt lay-in, but the Mavericks began pressing and got six quick points off turnovers in a one-minute span before the half to go up, 42-37, at the half.

After Salinas cut the lead to four (44-40) early in the second period, UTA went on a 16-5 run to create a 15-point cushion (60-45) with 14 minutes remaining. But the Comets tightened up and didn't let things get out of control. UTD actually outscored the Mavs in the remainder of the contest, 29-24, to get the game to its final 10-point margin.

UTD, which has faced the nation's top-ranked Division III team and a Division I opponent in its first three, opens American Southwest Conference play this weekend against McMurry (Saturday 3 pm) and Hardin-Simmons (Monday 7:30 pm).

BOXSCORE