UT Arlington defeats Oral Roberts 57-69
UT Arlington Edges Oral Roberts in Non-Conference Showdown
In a closely contested battle, the University of Texas at Arlington (UTA) emerged victorious over Oral Roberts (ORU), 69-57, on the road last night at Mabee Center.
The game's primary storyline centered around UTA's ability to maintain its lead throughout the contest. At halftime, ORU held a narrow 27-35 advantage, but the Mavericks responded by outscoring their hosts in the second half, building a 16-point cushion late in the fourth quarter.
For Oral Roberts, senior Ty Harper led the charge with 18 points, including one three-pointer on 4-of-13 shooting from beyond the arc. His teammate, Ofri Naveh, provided a strong defensive presence, grabbing eight rebounds and contributing 10 points while also recording two assists and three steals.
In contrast, UT Arlington's Marcell McCreary was instrumental in the Mavericks' victory. The sophomore forward poured in 16 points on 4-of-7 shooting from three-point range, showcasing his accuracy and scoring prowess.
The game saw both teams struggle with their respective shots. Oral Roberts shot just 31% from the field (17/55), while UT Arlington managed a more respectable 47% clip (24/51). However, it was UTA's ability to convert from beyond the arc that proved decisive, as they outdoubled ORU in three-point shooting (8-2).
The Mavericks' bench played a crucial role in the win, providing key contributions down the stretch. Raysean Seamster led the effort with six points and four assists, while also recording nine rebounds.
Oral Roberts struggled to contain UTA's fast-break attack, as the Mavericks scored eight quick-scoring points early in the game. The Golden Eagles were unable to recover from this deficit, despite making a late push to narrow the gap.
In the end, UT Arlington's balanced performance and ability to capitalize on opportunities proved too much for Oral Roberts to overcome. As the Mavericks celebrated their 12-point victory, they demonstrated that their non-conference schedule is one to be taken seriously.
Game Stats
Oral Roberts (HOME):
* Field Goals: 17/55 (31.0%)
* 2-Point FG: 15/35 (42.9%)
* 3-Point FG: 2/20 (10.0%)
* Free Throws: 21/25 (84.0%)
UT Arlington (AWAY):
* Field Goals: 24/51 (47.0%)
* 2-Point FG: 16/33 (48.5%)
* 3-Point FG: 8/18 (44.0%)
* Free Throws: 13/20 (65.0%)
Game Flow
Oral Roberts held a narrow lead at halftime, but UTA eventually took control of the contest.
The largest leads were a single point for ORU and 16 points in favor of UTA.