With Butler averaging 17 points, the Mavericks got a much needed two game sweep at home, taking down Texas State 75-50 and UT San Antonio 68-63 after having lost five straight home games.
The two game streak got the Mavs up to 7-5 in the Western Athletic Conference and 12-9 overall.
UTA was able to start fast and never look back against Texas State, as a 9-0 run to start the game allowed them to lead wire-to wire. With the Mavs up 31-26 at halftime, Butler rook over in the second with 17 of his 23 points. By the 17 minute mark, the Mavs had a double-digit lead they would hold for the rest of the game.
The Mavs held the Bobcats to 12 percent shooting for the second half in what Cross called "probably the first game that we have guarded for a solid 40 minutes."
It was a slightly tougher match against UTSA on Saturday, as the Roadrunners, despite only one conference win, came out firing quickly from long range.
With 7 of their 12 made field goals in the first half coming from three-point range, the Roadrunners led by as many as 7 and still led 37-35 at halftime.
Still trailing 45-15 6 1/ 2minutes in, UTA finally went on a 13-0 run to go up 54-45. UTSA cut the lead down to four a few times, including with 13 seconds to play. But the Mavs made just enough free throws to keep the Roadrunners from getting further.
"The fans were unbelievable," Cross said after the second game. Our guys battled their tails off but I know it got them energized. I think that’s the biggest reason we won this game to be honest. You could feel the energy in the building."
And it allowed the Mavs to complete a season sweep of their two former Southland Conference opponents. Texas State will be joining UTA in the Sun Belt Conference next season.
Meanwhile, the Mavs have to gear up for their longest road trip in school history, traveling to Idaho and Seattle over the next week.
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