Dallas Men’s Comeback Win Propels Them to Victory in the Regular Season Finale

The University of Dallas men's basketball team won today in exciting fashion, as they came from behind to defeat Letourneau University 72-71. From the tip onward, LeTourneau controlled the game, taking the lead on their first possession and stretching it to as many as 12 points midway through the first half. In the second half, UD slowly clawed their way back into the game, eventually taking their first lead of the game on senior guard/forward Travis Ekmark's (Yokosuka, Japan/Nile C. Kinnick H.S.) layup, which came with 1:47 left in the game. Leading 72-71, the Crusaders stepped up their defense, holding the Yellow Jackets scoreless for the rest of the game, and walking away with the victory. Hot shooting from behind the three point line played a big role in UD's victory. On the night they were 9-20 from behind the arc, which is percentage wise is one of their best three point nights of the year.

On an even more positive note for Dallas, senior guard Jeff Pritchard (Oak Grove, LA/Frisco H.S.) broke out of his offensive slump, scoring 21 points on 7-13 shooting, including a 4-7 effort from downtown. The timing for his breakout couldn't have been better, as later this week the will be playing for a spot in the NCAA Division III playoffs when they travel to Middletown, PA to play in the North Eastern Athletic Conference Championship Tournament.

Also in top form were senior guard Jim Norton (Louisville, KY/Holy Angels Academy) and Ekmark. Despite a slow start offensively, Norton finished the game with a very respectable 20 points. Ekmark continued to produce both offensively and defensively; he had yet another double-double, grabbing 12 rebounds, and scoring 17 points. Sophomore guard Barrett Brown (Phoenix, AZ/Mountain Pointe H.S.) scored 9 points in 14 minutes of playing time, going 2-3 on beyond the arc.

Hopefully the momentum gained from this much needed win carries over into this weekend's tournament. When they have played at their best this season, the Crusaders have shown that they have what it to takes to earn the conference championship. If all of the pieces fall into place for the team, this there is no reason to believe that the team cannot earn UD's second ever berth in the NCAA DIII playoffs. To earn that right UD will have to win the North Eastern Athletic Conference Tournament. The quarterfinal game on Friday, February 26 starts at 3:00pm against SUNY-Cobleskill in the first round game. The tournament is hosted by Penn State-Harrisburg in Middletown, PA.