UTA Opens with Record-Setting Effort, 96-48 Win over Nicholls
By Brandon C. Williams
Southland.org
KATY, Texas -- Upset that his UT Arlington squad had allowed their
previous five opponents to shoot better than 40 percent from the field, coach
Scott Cross challenged his team to do better entering the quarterfinal round of
the tournament.
The top-seeded Mavericks responded in historic fashion, handing No.
8 seed Nicholls a 96-48 defeat, the largest margin of victory in tournament
annals, surpassing the 36-point margin established by Louisiana-Lafayette in a
105-69 win over McNeese in 1982.
Even better for Cross, UTA (24-7) held Nicholls (10-20) to just 23
percent shooting, lower than the previous record 25.9 percent that Stephen F.
Austin shot against Lamar in 2002. The Mavericks also allowed just 14 field
goals, which tied for the fewest in one game, a mark previously held by SFA
(2002) and Northwestern State (2005).
"We wanted to make a statement that we are a legitimate defensive
team," said Cross. "These guys have the capability of being a great defense."
The Mavericks set the tone early on both ends, jumping out to a
29-7 lead that included an 14-0 run that quickly dashed any upset hopes for the
Colonels, the second-youngest team in the nation.
Nicholls was never able to establish any consistency on the
offensive end, missing 21 of their first 23 shots en route to shooting just 17
percent in the opening 20 minutes. The Colonels were also hampered when Trevon
Lewis, one of their best interior threats, went down early in the first half
with a knee injury.
"They took away everything we wanted to do and executed whatever
they wanted to do," said Nicholls coach J.P. Piper.
Staked to a 42-19 halftime lead, Cross was able to play his
starters sparingly in the opening minutes of the second half before clearing
the bench. All 11 players on the UTA roster scored at least two points, with Bo
Ingram leading the way with 21 points and LaMarcus Reed with 17.
Ingram set the pace for the Mavericks offense, scoring nine of the
team's first 11 points as his first half production (18) nearly matched the
entire Colonels output.
"That really got us going," said Cross. "Once we got the lead, we
could be a little more comfortable and relaxed on offense as long as you keep
the defensive effort up."
Piper, whose team was led by Jeremy Smith's 17 points and 15 from
Dantrell Thomas, looked at the defeat as a building stone for a Colonels
program that will bring back their top nine players.
"This doesn't represent what these kids have done all year," said
Piper. "From our perspective, we have to move this aside and start planning for
next year."
Postgame Quotes
UT Arlington head coach Scott Cross
Opening statement...
"It was a great all-around team effort
from our guys. It really started with the starters. They really set the tone
defensively. It was our focus because the last four to five games we noticed
some slippage with the focus. I felt good that the guys were going to come out
playing well because our practices were unbelievable leading up to this game.
And it was great to see them go out there and get it done. We just didn't do it
for the first half, but we did it for 40 minutes."
On hold Nicholls State to 23 percent shooting for the game...
"Our goal is to always hold teams to
under 40 percent shooting and the previous five teams have shot over that mark.
We really wanted to make a statement that we really are a legitimate defensive
team because we take pride in it."
UT Arlington senior forward Bo Ingram
On his output today...
"As soon as I stepped foot into the
arena, I got my mind into the game. I just had a different focus level now that
the regular season is over with. We are starting fresh, so I just came into the
conference tournament with a whole different mindset."
On setting the tone to the game...
"We wanted to set the tone early to
let the other teams in the Southland Conference know that we are not going to
lie down and it isn't going to be easy."
Nicholls State head coach J.P. Piper
Opening statement...
"We need to tip our hats to UT
Arlington. They were very impressive tonight like they have been all night
long. UT Arlington took away everything we wanted to do and was able to do
everything they wanted to do. The thing I shared with our team after the game
is that last year UT Arlington was tabbed as the youngest team in NCAA
basketball. I think we are the second-youngest team in basketball this year. I
keep telling my guys that the fact we made it to Katy is miraculous. No
disrespect to UTA, but they didn't get here last year. So I feel like in the
grand scheme of things, we may be a little ahead of schedule to try to do what
UTA is doing next year. I am extremely proud of our guys and I think we
represented the university well. We certainly don't like the score on the
scoreboard, but I love the kids in my locker room, and I am excited about next
season.