Texas-Arlington knocks off Texas for first time 72-61
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) Kevin Hervey was a bit uncomfortable when the basketball game started. The Texas-Arlington forward, returning from a torn ACL, needed some time to regain his bearings.
He was certainly sturdy on Tuesday night. Hervey scored 18 points and grabbed 10 rebounds and Texas-Arlington defeated Texas for the first time ever, 72-61 Tuesday.
The Longhorns (3-3) won the first 11 games in the series but needed overtime for a seven-point victory last season. Drew Charles supplemented Hervey with 12 points, all in the second half. Jalen Jones and Jorge Bilbao scored 10 each.
Hervey averaged 18 points while making 45 percent of his shots before the injury forced him to miss the final 19 games last season. Before Tuesday, the 6-foot-7 junior averaged 12 points and was shooting 34.8 percent.
''Any injury a person has, there will be some doubt,'' Hervey said. ''The process is overcoming the mental adversity.''
Texas-Arlington (5-3) missed its first 11 3-point shots in the first half before hitting two of its last three. Hervey made one with 15 seconds left to give the Mavericks a 30-27 halftime lead.
''I think we saw glimpses tonight of what he is capable of doing,'' Texas-Arlington coach Scott Cross said. ''I think he is starting to get confidence.''
Texas was even worse on 3-pointers in the first half, missing 13 of 15.
The Mavericks heated up in the second half, converting 5 of 12 treys, including four by Charles. Texas never improved, making 1 of 8 in the second half.
Tevin Mack led Texas with 19 points. Kerwin Roach scored 16 but committed six turnovers. Jarrett Allen produced 13 points and 12 rebounds.
The Longhorns have lost three straight, but the previous two were against Northwestern and Colorado from Power Five Conferences.
''Everybody's mad,'' Roach said. ''There should be a better result. Even though the shots aren't falling, it's what else can you do?''
Texas coach Shaka Smart was disappointed that deficiencies on offense led to lapses on defense.
''What happens is when your shooting, or your offense isn't going the way you want as a team, as an individual, it has a residual effect on your defense,'' Smart said. ''That's not acceptable.''
BIG PICTURE
Texas-Arlington: The Mavericks have been competitive against their last two opponents from Power Five conferences. Last season Texas-Arlington won consecutive games against Ohio State and Memphis.
Texas: The Longhorns struggled at home for the second time against a mid-major opponent. They beat Incarnate Word by five on opening night, albeit while two key Longhorns were suspended for violation of team rules.
SOPHOMORE SLUMP
Texas guard Eric Davis has converted just 6 of 36 3-pointers, 16.7 percent accuracy. Last season Davis hit 38.2 percent of his 3-pointers.
''He's not playing with a lot of confidence,'' Smart said. ''He's not playing with an aggressiveness. Eric Davis is a good shooter. Hes struggling right now.''
UP NEXT
Texas-Arlington is at North Texas on Saturday afternoon.
Texas hosts Alabama on Friday night.