Texas-Arlington defeats A&M-Corpus Christi 77-73

Published Jan. 18, 2012 10:46 p.m. ET

foxsports

LaMarcus Reed scored 26 points, and Texas-Arlington fought off a furious Texas A&M-Corpus Christi comeback Wednesday for its eighth straight win, 77-73.

Reed was 6 of 7 from the field, including 3 of 3 on 3-pointers, for the Mavericks (12-5, 5-0 Southland). Kevin Butler added 14 points, and Jordan Reves had 10 points and 10 rebounds.

Terence Jones scored 17 points for the Islanders (2-15, 1-4).

UTA started the game on a 24-3 run, capped by two Bo Ingram 3-pointers. The Islanders pulled within 40-30 at halftime on a Chris Hawkins-Mast layup, then tied the game at 47 on a Hameed Ali 3-pointer with 12:49 to play.

But A&M could never grab the lead. A Myron Dempsey jumper made it 74-73 with 2:04 left, but free throws by Reves and Shaq White-Miller sealed the win.

With the win, Texas-Arlington is off to its best start in conference play since 1990-91.