UALR made 13 three-pointers, but couldn't make one final charge after storming back to take a slim lead in an 82-73 loss at Texas-Arlington on Saturday at College Park Arena in Arlington, Texas.
UALR (13-16, 8-11) could have clinched a spot in the Sun Belt tournament in two weeks with a victory, instead the loss clinched UALR's first losing Sun Belt season in four years and it will have to try again Thursday in the regular-season finale at Louisiana-Lafayette. A scenario does exist for the Trojans to reach New Orleans with a loss Thursday, but it would require more help.
Roger Woods scored 16 points for the Trojans on Saturday, while Josh Hagins, Mareik Isom and James Reid combined to make 10 three-pointers and each finished with 14 points.
Lonnie McClanahan led Texas-Arlington (16-12, 10-8) with 18 points, while Erick Neal had 15 points and Kaelon Wilson had 12. McClanahan had 16 points in the first half as the Mavericks shot 64 percent from the field and led 40-31 at halftime.
UALR stormed back with threes, one of which by Hagins that tied it at 58-58 with 7:55 left. A Reid three with 5:16 left tied the game at 64-64 and J.T. Thomas' three with 4:32 left gave UALR a 67-66 lead.
But the Trojans missed their next four shots and committed a turnover as the Mavericks took a 72-67 lead and the Trojans didn't make a final push.
Sports on 03/01/2015