GAME PREVIEW: Dallas vs. Austin College (2/21)
(Photo Graphic courtesy of Hannah Miller)
MUTLIMEDIA COVERAGE
College TV Ticket (Video)
OPENING TIP
The University of Dallas men's basketball team (16-8, 6-7 SCAC) wraps up the regular campaign on Saturday versus Austin College (7-16, 3-10 SCAC). The contest also marks "Senior Day" as the Crusaders look to complete the final two games of the year in the win column.
Dallas is 8-2 at the Maher Athletic Center and have won four-straight at the friendly confines. UD has also prevailed in six of the past eight affairs overall.
If the Crusaders win Saturday, the team would finish 1-1 against every Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference (SCAC) foe this season, and enter the SCAC at .500. A victory also secures the fourth seed heading into the conference tournament next week.
MOST RECENT ACTION
It was a historic night for Dallas as the program sank a season-high, 107 points, and eclipsed the century mark for the first time since the 2000-01 campaign. UD also posted a team-best for points in a half with 56 en route to a 107-93 victory over Arlington Baptist College on Thursday.
Leading the Navy and White, who shot 56.7-percent from the floor and 57.9-percent from beyond the three-point line, was senior Aaron Wyatt (Frisco, Texas) with 18 points. 12 of the forward's second highest scoring total occurred in the opening stanza.
19 players got onto the court for the Crusaders, with 14 tallying at least two points. Some other big nights came from freshman Anthony Johnson (Texas City, Texas) with 12 to match a career-best.
Sophomores Tom Kaiser (Nashville, Tenn.) and Michael Hampson each rounded out the double-digit scoring with 12 and 10, respectively. Kaiser muscled down a season-high 11 rebounds, as he cracked double figures in that category for the first time this year.
Dallas claimed a season-most 23 assists, and were one trifecta away from tying the most connected on in 2014-15 with Southwestern Adventist University holding the highest at 12.
QUICK NOTES
- Leading UD offensively is Wyatt with 291 points and 12.1 points-per-game (ppg). He also claims the leaderboard with 150 rebounds.
- Rounding the Crusaders' out in double figures offensively on the year is Sarrat with 12.2 ppg. He leads the team with 53 made three-pointers.
- Due to his stellar action of late, Promberger burst onto the scene late in the year averaging a 10.2-percent clip versus SCAC programs. He has increased his scoring average and ranks second in rebounding with 116 total.
- Promberger's efforst were recognized by the league this week with his first career and team's second Men's Basketball Player-of-the-Week. He is in front in the conference with field goal percentage at 53.9-percent.
- Senior Kym Malone (Richardson, Texas) remains in the top spot for assists for his third straight-week, by shattering the margin by over 20 separating the next individual on the miss. He has compiled 115 overall and is averaging 4.6 per contest.
- Sophomore Victor Garate (Austin, Texas) has come off the bench the past few contests and hit some big three-pointers. Last Friday at Schreiner, the guard went five-of-six from downtown to claim a personal and team best. He also etched 17 points for a season-high. Last night he was perfect three-of-three from behind the arch. Garate is shooting 47.8-percent on the season.
- Entering last night, Dallas boasts the best field goal percentages, 46.1-percent, and three-point field percentages, at 40.2 in the SCAC.
SCOUTING THE ROOS'
Austin College has dropped 10 in a row since opening conference play with a 3-0 record. One of those results was a narrow 69-68 decision over the Crusaders on Jan. 3. The latest setback for the Maroon and Gold was a three-point final at Schreiner University this past Saturday.
AC is currently on a three-game road trip, where the team has claimed a 1-8 mark. The Roos' close the campaign at Hughey Gym on Sunday versus UC Santa Cruz.
Two players are averaging double figures for Austin, with Brian Baehl leading with 11 points a contests, and Jeremy Swisher with 10.3. Austin Freet is pulling down 7.1 rebounds per matchup.
In the first meeting between the squads, the Roos' held a 31-30 halftime edge, but would utilize a 12-4 run around the midway point of the latter stanza to gain momentum. UD rallied in the final 4:19 minutes stringing a 15-3 stretch, and controlled final possession after an Austin College turnover. The road team's final jumper by Wyatt would miss the mark.
The senior from Frisco, Texas, did notch a team-high 21 points and 10 boards for a double-double. Malone added season-high at the time, 16 points, and four assists.
For AC, Swisher garnered a game-high 22 points and tied Cedric Hudson with six rebounds apiece.
SENIOR DAY
Prior to tip-off, UD's men's basketball team will recognize five seniors including: Zach Royal (Chandler, Ariz.), Blackburn, Malone, Promberger, and Wyatt.
UP NEXT
Dallas has concluded the regular season and sets its focus to the SCAC Championship Tournament on Feb. 27-March 1. The Crusaders enjoy home court by hosting at the Maher Athletic Center.
Regardless of Saturday's results, Dallas will be set to play on Feb. 27 at 5 p.m. against Colorado College.
SOCIAL MEDIA
Dallas Athletics Twitter: UDallas Athletics (@DallasSports)
Dallas MBB Twitter: UofDallas Basketball (@UDallasMBB)
Dallas Facebook: University of Dallas Athletics
