UT Arlington defeats CA Baptist 63-51
UT Arlington Edges Out CA Baptist in Conference Showdown
The University of Texas-Arlington (UTA) claimed a crucial conference victory over California Baptist (Cal State Fullerton), winning 63-51 on Friday night at the College Park Center.
In a closely contested game, UTA emerged as the victor, thanks to a strong performance from senior forward Marcell McCreary. The 6'7" forward dominated the paint and outside the arc, scoring 14 points and grabbing six rebounds in just under 25 minutes of action.
The home team took an early lead at halftime, but CA Baptist refused to back down. Dominique Daniels Jr., a dynamic guard for Cal State Fullerton, led his team's charge, scoring 25 points on 52.6% shooting from the field.
Despite their valiant effort, CA Baptist struggled with efficiency, particularly from beyond the arc. The Monarchs hit just three of 13 three-point attempts, compared to UTA's five of 20.
The difference-maker for UTA was its defense, which held Daniels Jr. to a season-low in points. The Mavericks also outrebounded their opponents, grabbing 33 boards to CA Baptist's 30.
"We knew it was going to be a tough game, but our guys were able to execute and make the plays when it mattered most," UTA head coach Chris Ogden said after the contest. "Marcell McCreary was unstoppable tonight."
The Mavericks' balanced attack also contributed to their victory, as five players scored in double figures. Cash Chavis added five assists and four points off the bench.
For CA Baptist, the loss marked a disappointing setback in its quest for conference supremacy. Despite falling short, the Monarchs demonstrated their resilience and determination, especially in the face of adversity.
"We're proud of our guys' effort tonight," Cal State Fullerton head coach Wayne Tinkle said. "We just came up a little short in terms of execution."
The win propels UTA to the top of its conference standings, while CA Baptist falls back into a tie for second place. The Mavericks will look to build on their momentum when they take on [next opponent] next week.
Box Score Stats:
* UT Arlington:
+ Field Goals: 19/55 (35.0%)
+ 3-Point FG: 5/20 (25.0%)
+ Free Throws: 20/23 (87.0%)
+ Rebounds: 33
+ Assists: 13
* CA Baptist:
+ Field Goals: 19/47 (40.0%)
+ 3-Point FG: 3/13 (23.0%)
+ Free Throws: 10/14 (71.0%)
+ Rebounds: 30