Big second half lifts UTA men over Appalachian St.

Lonnie McClanahan scored 21 points and Greg Gainey 19 to lead UT Arlington over Appalachian State 81-68 on Thursday night.

Kevin Hervey added 15 points and Erick Neal 11 for the Mavericks (15-10, 9-6 Sun Belt), who shot 49.2 percent and have won three out of their last four games.

Frank Eaves scored 20 points and Tommy Spagnolo 10 for the Mountaineers (9-15, 6-9), who shot 44.7 percent in losing their third straight game.

Three free throws by Hervey with 14:53 left in the game gave the Mavericks the lead for good.

After trailing by 11, a basket by Eaves got the Mountaineers within eight points with 2:17 remaining. But Kaelon Wilson responded with a 3-pointer to start a 7-0 run that left the Mavericks ahead 81-66 with 28 seconds to go.

Appalachian State led 34-32 at halftime.

There were 44 turnovers in the game, 26 by the Mountaineers.

This story was originally published February 19, 2015 at 9:57 PM with the headline "Big second half lifts UTA men over Appalachian St.."