Win gives Cross share of UTA all-time coaching mark
UT Arlington didn’t show any signs of rust from a 13-day layoff in a 98-40 rout of Sul Ross State Monday night at the College Park Center. The victory also gave coach Scott Cross his 162nd win at UTA, tied for the most in program history.
Cross is 162-130 in 10 seasons at UTA and shares the top of the wins list with Eddie McCarter who Cross played for and was an assistant under before taking over the program in 2006.
Following a nine-day holiday layoff, the Mavericks (9-2) will try to get No. 163 for Cross when they open Sun Belt play at home against defending league champion Georgia State on Dec. 30.
“If you looked at it before the season, I’d say looking at the schedule we’d be an underdog in about eight of the first 11 games,” Cross said. “But coaches are nothing without guys that buy in. We’ve found the right guys we need.”
The Mavericks never gave the Lobos (4-7) a chance, jumping ahead 24-4 less than seven minutes into the game and keeping their foot on the pedal. By halftime, they were ahead 59-23 and coasted from there to a 58-point win.
With Erick Neal sidelined by a hamstring injury, Nathan Hawkins and Mairega Clarke took advantage of the opportunity. In his first start, Hawkins had 12 points and four assists. Clarke added 10 points as 11 Mavericks played at least 11 minutes.
“As [Clarke] figures out all the little things we’re doing on defense and he gets more comfortable, he’s really going to help us,” Cross said.
UTA outrebounded Sul Ross State 59-24 and remains one of five teams in the nation grabbing more than 45 rebounds per game.
Sul Ross State simply didn’t have the size to match up on the perimeter. The Mavericks’ length made it a long night for the Lobos, who made 27 percent of their shots and turned it over 26 times.
Even though Sul Ross State forced 14 UTA turnovers, the Mavericks outscored the Lobos 40-2 on points off turnovers.
The win completed UTA’s nonconference schedule with a 9-2 mark, their best start since 2007-08.
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This story was originally published December 21, 2015 at 10:49 PM with the headline "Win gives Cross share of UTA all-time coaching mark."