Men's Basketball can't crack UT-Dallas Comets
IRVING, Texas – The University of Dallas men's basketball team (2-16) fell Wednesday evening at the Maher Athletic Center to the Comets of UT-Dallas (UTD), 72-44.
UTD connected on 7-of-16 three-pointers attempted in the first half, and went into halftime leading the Crusaders, 43-21.
Dallas in the opening period shot 26.5 percent (9-of-34) from the field, while the Comets put home 53.1 percent (17-of-32) of their attempts from the floor.
Throughout the second half, UTD's lead ranged from 19 points at the 9:35 mark after Dallas guard Barrett Brown (Phoenix, Ariz./Mountain Pointe H.S.) netted a layup, to a game-high 28 points – UTD's winning margin.
Brown led the way for the Crusaders in the second half, pouring in nine of his 15 points on the night in the final period. The junior guard's final stat line saw him knock down 7-of-18 from the field, including sinking 1-for-3 from the free throw line. He also had two rebounds and a steal.
Dallas' shooting woes continued into the final period, as the Crusaders were held to 31 percent (9-of-29) from the field in the second half.
Defensively, the Crusaders turned it up a notch, forcing eight of UTD's 12 turnovers in the second half. The Comets however still shot a strong percentage from the floor -- 41.4 percent (12-of-29).
The three-ball proved a difference maker, with UTD making 43.5 percent (10-of-23) for the game, while Dallas managed to sink only 17.6 percent (3-of-17) from behind the arc.
Another key stat the Comets held over the Crusaders occurred in the rebounding department, where UTD's advantage was 49-33.
Of note, freshman forward Ross Davidson (San Juan Capistrano, Calif./JSerra Catholic H.S.) had 12 rebounds -- three offensive, nine defensive -- and six points before leaving the game with 3:29 remaining, with an apparent knee injury.
Next up for the Crusaders will be a home game against the University of New Orleans on Sunday, Jan. 30th. Tip off is set for 3:00 p.m. at the Maher Athletic Center.