UT Arlington's strong second-half performance propelled them to an 82-72 victory over Abilene Christian at the College Park Center. The Mavericks, now 13-6 on the season, were led by Marcell McCreary's 20 points and 6 rebounds. McCreary's effort was complemented by Bahsil Laster's 18 points and Cash Chavis's 15 points, showcasing the team's balanced scoring attack.
Abilene Christian's Bradyn Hubbard was the game's top scorer, finishing with 27 points. Despite his impressive performance, the Wildcats were unable to overcome UT Arlington's second-half surge. Rich Smith added 15 points and 8 assists for Abilene Christian, while Cade Hornecker chipped in with 11 points.
The first half saw UT Arlington take a 37-29 lead, with McCreary and Laster combining for 19 points. Abilene Christian struggled to find their rhythm, shooting just 36% from the field in the opening period. The Mavericks' defense was solid, holding the Wildcats to just 29 points.
In the second half, UT Arlington continued to push the pace, outscoring Abilene Christian 45-43. The Mavericks' offense was efficient, with Chavis and McCreary making key contributions. UT Arlington's lead ballooned to as many as 12 points, and they maintained a comfortable margin throughout the final 10 minutes.
The win marks a Quadrant 4 victory for UT Arlington, which may not significantly boost their tournament resume but helps to maintain their current position. With a net ranking of 127, the Mavericks are still on the outside looking in, but a strong finish to the season could put them in contention for a postseason berth.
For Abilene Christian, the loss is a Quadrant 2 defeat, which is not overly damaging to their resume. The Wildcats, now 10-9 on the season, want to regroup and focus on their upcoming conference schedule. With a net ranking of 241, Abilene Christian has work to do to improve their tournament chances.
As the season enters its critical stretch, UT Arlington will aim to build on this win and make a push for a tournament spot. With their balanced offense and solid defense, the Mavericks have the potential to make some noise in the coming weeks. For Abilene Christian, the focus will be on bouncing back from this defeat and finding consistency in their performance. The Wildcats' tournament hopes are still alive, but they must string together some wins to bolster their resume.