The next step in an emerging relationship with the Dallas Mavericks made for a special evening for more than 40 students, faculty and staff on Friday night.

The Mavs treated the UNT Dallas crew to a "suite" night as the NBA club provided, yes, a suite stocked with food and fun. Things got started with a meet-and-greet with team CEO Cynthia Marshall, who led the group down to the bowels of the American Airlines Center to participate in the High-Five Line. What's the High-Five Line? Lined up along each wall of the corridor outside of the Mavs' locker room, the players made their way to the court by jogging past their cheering fans and slapping high-fives.

Marshall then escorted the UNT Dallas team up to the suite where a buffet of food awaited. The game was pretty good, too, with the Mavs coming up just short against the Charlotte Hornets in a high-scoring and entertaining end to their preseason schedule. Dallas opens the regular season at Phoenix on Wednesday night.

UNT Dallas and the Mavs share an emerging relationship that has already included Marshall serving as keynote speaker at UNT Dallas' New Student Convocation and President Bob Mong being named to the Dallas Mavericks Advisory Council.

More than 60 UNT Dallas students signed up online on a first-come, first-served basis in a matter of hours. A second night out to a Mavs game is being planned for later in the fall.