Postgame radio interview with Mark Byington

STATESBORO – David Azore scored 15 points, and UTA shot 55 percent in the second half as the Mavericks earned a 72-67 Sun Belt men's basketball win over Georgia Southern Thursday night in Hanner Fieldhouse.

Eagles of the Game
Tookie Brown scored 11 points for Georgia Southern, and four of his teammates finished with 10, in Montae Glenn, Isaiah Crawley, Quan Jackson and David-Lee Jones Jr. Crawley added a game-high 11 rebounds for his fourth career double-double.

Key moments
Georgia Southern (12-8, 4-3) led by 13 points early in the second half, but UTA went on a 16-6 spurt and tied it at 56 on a Brian Warren 3-pointer with 9:42 remaining. Radshad Davis gave UTA (9-11, 5-2) its first lead of the second half, and an Azore jumper opened a 67-61 cushion with 5:04 to go. Georgia Southern pulled to 67-66 with 3:02 to play but did not make another field goal the rest of the game.

Inside the Numbers
UTA scored 14 second-chance points on 11 offensive rebounds and the Mavericks outscored the Eagles 13-4 from the free-throw line. The Eagles shot 45 percent from the field but were just 5 of 21 from 3-point range.

Next up
GS plays host to first-place Texas State Saturday at 5 p.m. in Hanner Fieldhouse. Promotions: Presenting partner: National Guard. Salute to Heroes Night – All active duty and veteran military personnel, police officers, firefighters, and EMS receive free admission with valid ID and may purchase discount $5 general admission tickets or $10 for both games for family members; Football Team Recognition - the Georgia Southern football team will be recognized for winning the Raycom Media Camellia Bowl.