Game Notes

MOBILE, Ala. – After rallying for an overtime win over Texas State Saturday, the University of South Alabama men's basketball team will make a quick turnaround before hosting Texas-Arlington in a nationally-televised contest Monday afternoon.

Tipoff is scheduled for 2 p.m. The game can be seen on ESPN2 or online at JagNationTV.com. Live stats will be available at USAJaguars.com, and updates will be provided on Twitter at @SouthAlaMBK. Fans can listen to the game on 99.5 FM or iHeartRadio.com.

"It's great to be back in the Mitchell Center where we've protected our home court and we're 2-0," USA head coach Matthew Graves said. "Before the season started, we set the goal of performing better at home and getting off to a 2-0 start is a great way to do that in conference play. Certainly Texas-Arlington will pose some challenges but we're looking forward to it."

The Jaguars (9-8, 2-2 Sun Belt) have played 10 extra minutes in its last two games, splitting a pair of overtime contests at Georgia Southern last Monday, and vs. Texas State on Saturday. The back-to-back OT games are a first for the program since 2009-10 and will provide an extra hurdle for the team to overcome.

"I think we're very diligent and smart about our practice time and making sure our players have the right amount of rest and recovery, so I'm not worried about the extra five minutes, other than my stress level and blood pressure," Graves said. "We play several guys so no one is playing super-extended minutes. I feel like we're in great shape and if it takes more than 40 minutes Monday, we'll be up to the challenge."

After a slow start, the Jaguar 3-point shooters are finding their stroke of late. In the last three games, the team is averaging 10.0 triples while converting 41.1 percent from behind the arc. Junior Shaq Calhoun (Rome, Ga.) had a career-high six treys Saturday in putting up a personal-best 26 points.

"It's just having confidence in taking the right shots and being in rhythm," Graves stated. "We haven't changed a ton of what we're doing offensively – we are trying to play a little bit faster – but it's like the free-throw shooting. We struggled in the previous couple of games, but last night, when the game was on the line down the stretch, we were 10 for 10. At the end of the day, it's about the players having confidence and stepping up and making plays."

Texas-Arlington, the preseason favorite in the league, has dropped its last two games by a combined 30 points after an 11-game win streak. The Mavericks boast double-digit road wins over Texas (72-61) and No. 12 Saint Mary's (65-51) this season, and enter the contest 12-5 and 2-2.

"They're going to be come out really hungry and focused, and ready to compete," Graves commented. "The added bonus of a game on national TV will make them fired up to play and wanting to get back in the win column."

The Mavs' Kevin Hervey was voted the Sun Belt Preseason Player of the Year prior to the start of the 2016-17 campaign. The junior, who is coming off a season-ending injury last January, didn't play in UTA's loss at Troy Saturday, but leads the team in both scoring (15.0 ppg) and rebounding (7.6 rpg). He scored 24 points with 11 rebounds against South Alabama in Mobile last season.

"He is outstanding, and his preseason player-of-the-year accolades are well-deserved and earned," Graves said. "He's a nightmare matchup because of his size, athleticism and ability to play inside and out. We're going to practice today anticipating him playing, and if he doesn't, we'll make adjustments. He's certainly one of the top two or three players in the league without question."

The 2017 Sun Belt Conference Men's and Women's Basketball Championships are scheduled for a week of March Madness in the Big Easy.  New Orleans will once again be home to the two championships that will take place at Lakefront Arena from March 7-12 and ticket books can now be purchased from your school's ticket office.  For more information, visit the Sun Belt Conference's championship central websites - Men's Championship – Women's Championship – and be sure to follow the #FunBelt on social media - @SunBelt.

For more information about South Alabama athletics, check back with www.usajaguars.com, and follow the Jaguars at www.twitter.com/USAJaguarSports. Season tickets for all Jaguar athletic events can be purchased by calling (251) 461-1USA (1872).

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