The Mavericks (18-9, 9-7) didn’t have enough to beat the first-place Little Rock Trojans (25-3, 15-2) in a 72-60 loss.
Most of the damage was done in the first half as the Trojans outscored the Mavs 36-25.
The Mavs improved in the second half shooting 54.5 percent, but the Trojans shot 50 percent as well, including 60 percent from beyond the arc.
The Mavs did close the gap to five with 3:45 remaining but the Trojans responded with a 9-2 run to close out the game.
Junior guard Jalen Jones led UTA as one of only two Mavs in double figures with 13 points.