ARLINGTON, Texas – In a game of scoring streaks by both teams, it was UT-Arlington’s burst midway through the second half that put the game away and sent the Texas Wesleyan Rams to their second loss of the season.

UTA’s Keith Howell opened the scoring with a short baseline jumper moments before Wesleyan’s David Johnson did the same to knot the score at two. The Mavericks followed with the first scoring streak of the evening, a 10-2 run that gave them a 12-4 lead at the five-minute mark. Wesleyan responded with a streak of their own, scoring the next eight points to tie the score.

The momentum shifted back to UTA when Derrick Obasohan nailed a three with 13 minutes to play in the half. That basket sparked a 16-4 run, during which the Rams missed two free throws and two open 3-point attempts, and gave the Mavericks a lead they would not lose.

Wesleyan head coach Terry Waldrop called a timeout with the score at 28-16, and the teams traded points to give UTA a 39-25 halftime lead.

UTA opened the second half with 3 quick points, but Wesleyan enjoyed the first real streak of the second half. With the score at 45-27, Aaron Whaley drove the lane and scored on a nice lay-up, then James Whitfield nailed a three-pointer. UTA immediately turned the ball over on a poor inbounds pass, and Whitfield hit a second three-pointer. Wesleyan would score nine of the next 14 points, including another three by Whitfield, to get back to within eight at 52-44, and forced UTA to call a timeout.

The Mavericks returned to the floor with a vengeance. Donny Beacham immediately hit a three-pointer, and UTA began an 18-1 run that would put the game away. They would go on to post an 81-65 victory.

For the Rams, Whitfield had a nice game, leading all scorers with 23 points. He was 8 of 6 from the field, including 5 of 9 from beyond the arc. Joey Gladney scored 14 and pulled down eight rebounds in 35 minutes off the bench, and David Johnson reached double figures with 11 points. He also had four blocks.

UTA was paced offensively by Howell, who scored 17 points. Mack Collier added 16 and just missed a double-double with nine rebounds. Beacham and Obasohan also reached double figures for the Mavericks, scoring 12 and 10 points respectively.

UTA improves to 2-3 on the year, while Wesleyan falls to 7-2. Both Wesleyan losses this season have been to NCAA Division I programs.

The Rams return home on Tuesday evening to open the Red River Athletic Conference season against the Tigers of Paul Quinn College. Tip-off is at 7:30 PM in the Sid Richardson Gymnasium.