UT Arlington Crushes UNT Dallas 89-56 in Season Opener
The UT Arlington Mavericks men’s basketball team defeated the Trailblazers 89-56 in their 2026-27 season opener at College Park Center. UTA capitalized on its physical presence by securing 64 rebounds—tying the 8th most in a single game in program history—and scoring 56 points in the paint.
I credit them,
KT Turner said. They are great kids. They get along and hang out together all the time. Every night with this team it can be somebody different scoring the basketball.
Senior Noah Shelby Leads Mavericks with Career-High 17 Points
Senior Noah Shelby paced the Mavericks’ offense with 17 points, shooting 5 of 10 from beyond the arc. Junior Teodor Simic contributed 16 points and nine rebounds in 18 minutes of play. UTA featured 12 new players on its 14-player roster for the matchup, showcasing immediate chemistry.
Two UTA players recorded double-doubles in the lid-lifter. Sophomore Niko Bundalo tallied 13 points and 12 rebounds, while junior Jerimiyah Smith added 11 points, 10 rebounds, and six assists. Junior Miles Goodman, the team’s lone returner, set a new career high with 10 points capped by an alley-oop dunk, and senior Mier Panoam registered eight points, 10 rebounds, and five assists.
Defensive Lockdown and 16-2 First-Half Run
The Mavericks never trailed during the contest. They broke open a close game with a 16-2 run late in the first half to build a 42-22 advantage by intermission. UTA’s defense restricted UNT Dallas to just 23 percent shooting from the field, limiting the Trailblazers to an 18-for-77 mark.
Coach stresses coming in and playing hard,
Bundalo said. We came in ready to hoop, win and play together and to get this thing rolling.
Outrigger Rainbow Classic Matchup Against Portland in Hawaii
The victory lifts UTA to 4-0 all-time against the Trailblazers. The team now turns its attention to the upcoming tournament in Honolulu.
We’re about getting better every day,
Turner said. I thought we did some good things. You want to win every game you play. It gives you confidence going into Hawaii.
The Mavericks continue their schedule on Friday, November 6, against Portland in the opening game of The Outrigger Rainbow Classic in Honolulu, Hawaii.
Frequently Asked Questions About UTA Basketball Tickets
How can fans purchase single-game tickets for the 2026-27 season?
Single-game tickets for both the men’s and women’s UT Arlington basketball seasons are available online through UTA Tickets or by contacting the UTA Athletics Box Office at 817-272-9595.
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