UT Arlington Mavericks Defeat Southern Utah Thunderbirds 86-77
Saturday, January 3, 2026, 8:30 PM ET · America First Events Center
UT Arlington Mavericks 86, Southern Utah Thunderbirds 77, final. Our NCAAB picks are sealed as a hash before kickoff and settled in public, losses included.
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Quick answers
Who won UT Arlington Mavericks vs Southern Utah Thunderbirds?
UT Arlington Mavericks beat Southern Utah Thunderbirds 86-77 at America First Events Center on January 3, 2026.
Who was favored in UT Arlington Mavericks vs Southern Utah Thunderbirds?
UT Arlington Mavericks were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -258 (about 72% implied). The favorite won.
The UT Arlington Mavericks secured a solid victory against the Southern Utah Thunderbirds, winning 86-77 at the America First Events Center. This matchup was notable as it featured two teams with contrasting records and recent performances. The Mavericks improved their record to 11-5, while the Thunderbirds fell to 4-12.
In terms of recent form, the Mavericks have been performing well, holding a record of 6-4 over their last ten games, with their most recent outing resulting in a win against the California Baptist Lancers on January 1, 2026. They have averaged 66.7 points scored and allowed the same amount during this stretch. The Mavericks are also 4-2 in away games, demonstrating a strong capability to perform outside their home venue.
Conversely, the Thunderbirds have struggled significantly, with a record of 3-7 in their last ten games and currently on a four-game losing streak. Their scoring average in this period is 73.7 points per game, but they have allowed an average of 80.7 points, indicating defensive vulnerabilities. At home, they have managed a record of 2-0, but their away performance has been disappointing at 1-7.
The two teams have met previously in the 2025 season, splitting their two encounters. The Thunderbirds won the first meeting at home 73-68, while the Mavericks edged out a close victory in the second matchup, winning 70-68 on the road.
In terms of injuries, the block does not provide specific details on player availability, but this aspect can significantly impact team performance and strategy.
The betting market, as provided by DraftKings, had the Mavericks favored by 5.5 points, with a total set at 138.5. The odds for the Mavericks to win straight up were -258, while the Thunderbirds were at +210.
The game conditions were not detailed, but typical factors such as crowd support, court conditions, and player fatigue can always play a role in the outcome of a basketball game.
As the game unfolded, key scoring plays included a series of layups and free throws from Mavericks players, particularly Isaiah Cottrell and Marcell McCreary, who contributed significantly to the final score. The Mavericks maintained a lead throughout the second half, with the Thunderbirds unable to close the gap despite their efforts.
Overall, this matchup highlighted the Mavericks' ability to capitalize on their scoring opportunities while exposing the Thunderbirds' defensive weaknesses, leading to a decisive victory.
Odds
| Book | Spread | Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings | UTA -5.5 | 138.5 o -115 / u -105 | UT Arlington Mavericks -258 · Southern Utah Thunderbirds +210 |
Leaders
- PointsJaiden Feroah13Southern Utah Thunderbirds
- AssistsIsaiah Cottrell5Southern Utah Thunderbirds
- ReboundsJaiden Feroah10Southern Utah Thunderbirds
- PointsMarcell McCreary39UT Arlington Mavericks
- AssistsRaysean Seamster5UT Arlington Mavericks
- ReboundsMarcell McCreary7UT Arlington Mavericks
Recent form
Southern Utah Thunderbirds
Last 10: 3-7Streak L473.7 scored · 80.7 allowed per game2-0 at home
- L66-80at Utah Tech TrailblazersDec 30
- L57-65at Northern Arizona LumberjacksDec 19
- L69-105at Washington HuskiesDec 13
- L70-81at Oregon State BeaversDec 6
- W124-59vs West Coast Baptist EaglesDec 2
- W70-68at Stetson HattersNov 29
- L54-61at Robert Morris ColonialsNov 28
- W103-68vs Nobel KnightsNov 23
- L74-98at Washington State CougarsNov 20
- L50-122at Gonzaga BulldogsNov 18
UT Arlington Mavericks
Last 10: 6-4Streak W166.7 scored · 66.7 allowed per game4-2 away
- W63-51vs California Baptist LancersJan 1
- L63-69vs Tarleton State TexansDec 30
- W69-57at Oral Roberts Golden EaglesDec 23
- L60-76at Stanford CardinalDec 18
- W58-50at UT Rio Grande Valley VaquerosDec 12
- L63-83at Arkansas State Red WolvesDec 3
- W66-61vs Stephen F. Austin LumberjacksNov 29
- W74-73at Weber State WildcatsNov 23
- L67-71vs Campbell Fighting CamelsNov 21
- W84-76at Evansville Purple AcesNov 19
Standings
| Team | Overall | Games behind | In conference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Utah Valley | 25-9 | - | 14-4 |
| California Baptist | 25-9 | 1 | 13-5 |
| Utah Tech | 19-15 | 2 | 11-7 |
| UT Arlington | 18-14 | 5 | 9-9 |
| Southern Utah | 10-22 | 7 | 6-12 |
| Tarleton State | 14-18 | 9 | 5-13 |
| Abilene Christian | 14-19 | 9 | 5-13 |
| Portland State | 20-11 | - | 13-5 |
| Montana State | 18-14 | 1 | 12-6 |
| Eastern Washington | 14-19 | 2 | 11-7 |
| Northern Colorado | 20-12 | 3 | 10-8 |
| Montana | 18-16 | 3 | 10-8 |
| Weber State | 16-16 | 3 | 10-8 |
| Idaho | 21-15 | 4 | 9-9 |
| Sacramento State | 10-21 | 8 | 6-12 |
| Idaho State | 13-20 | 8 | 5-13 |
| Northern Arizona | 10-22 | 9 | 4-14 |
Box score
| Stat | UT Arlington Mavericks | Southern Utah Thunderbirds |
|---|---|---|
| Field goals | 28-54 | 27-58 |
| Field goal % | 52 | 47 |
| Three-pointers | 11-19 | 7-21 |
| Three-point % | 58 | 33 |
| Free throws | 19-25 | 16-21 |
| Free throw % | 76 | 76 |
| Rebounds | 33 | 30 |
| Offensive rebounds | 7 | 8 |
| Defensive rebounds | 26 | 22 |
| Assists | 13 | 15 |
| Steals | 9 | 7 |
| Blocks | 3 | 6 |
| Turnovers | 13 | 14 |
| Team turnovers | 0 | 0 |
| Technical fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Technical fouls, total | 0 | 0 |
| Flagrant fouls | 1 | 0 |
| Points off turnovers | 15 | 16 |
| Fast-break points | 11 | 20 |
| Points in the paint | 34 | 38 |
| Fouls | 20 | 18 |
| Largest lead | 12 | 12 |
| Lead changes | 1 | 1 |
| Time in front | 48 | 46 |
How the scoring went
- 2nd Half55-47Jaiden Feroah makes layup (Isaiah Cottrell assists)
- 2nd Half55-48Jaiden Feroah makes free throw 1 of 1
- 2nd Half57-48Raysean Seamster makes layup
- 2nd Half59-48Cash Chavis makes layup
- 2nd Half59-50Jaiden Feroah makes layup
- 2nd Half59-51Jaiden Feroah makes free throw 1 of 1
- 2nd Half61-51Cash Chavis makes 5-foot dunk
- 2nd Half61-52Elijah Duval makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half63-52Miles Goodman makes layup
- 2nd Half63-54Cale Barclay makes layup
- 2nd Half63-57Tanner Hayhurst makes 24-foot three point jumper (Cale Barclay assists)
- 2nd Half64-57Bahsil Laster makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half66-57Marcus Rigsby Jr. makes layup
- 2nd Half66-58Lorenzo Abellar makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half66-59Lorenzo Abellar makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half69-59Marcell McCreary makes 26-foot three point jumper
- 2nd Half69-61Jalen Lee makes layup (Isaiah Cottrell assists)
- 2nd Half71-61Marcell McCreary makes 15-foot jumper
- 2nd Half71-62Jalen Lee makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half71-63Jalen Lee makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half72-63Marcell McCreary makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half73-63Marcell McCreary makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half73-65Jaiden Feroah makes layup (Isaiah Cottrell assists)
- 2nd Half73-66Tanner Hayhurst makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half73-67Tanner Hayhurst makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half73-69Jaiden Feroah makes layup
- 2nd Half76-69Marcus Rigsby Jr. makes 23-foot three point jumper (Raysean Seamster assists)
- 2nd Half76-71Isaiah Cottrell makes layup (Elijah Duval assists)
- 2nd Half77-71Marcell McCreary makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half78-71Marcell McCreary makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half79-71Raysean Seamster makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half80-71Raysean Seamster makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half80-73Isaiah Cottrell makes layup
- 2nd Half82-73Marcell McCreary makes 13-foot jumper
- 2nd Half82-74Lorenzo Abellar makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half82-75Lorenzo Abellar makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half84-75Marcus Rigsby Jr. makes layup (Raysean Seamster assists)
- 2nd Half84-77Isaiah Cottrell makes layup
- 2nd Half85-77Marcell McCreary makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half86-77Marcell McCreary makes free throw 2 of 2
Win probability
Above the line favours Southern Utah Thunderbirds, below favours UT Arlington Mavericks.
Venue
- America First Events CenterCedar City, UT
- Attendance796
- OfficialsDoug Sturdivan, Frank Harvey, Wacey Lym
Elsewhere
- Carson Crawford, No. 46 in '27 class, commits to Arizona St.
- Tennessee's Ralph Scott to have knee surgery, out at least 6 months
- Men's NCAA basketball 2026-27 Way-Too-Early Top 25 rankings
- Transfers, recruits and roster moves for key men's NCAA basketball teams
- Michigan 5-star freshman Brandon McCoy Jr. (knee) to miss season
- With $6.5 million left on deal, UCLA fires AD Martin Jarmond