Men's Basketball ends season at AD3I Postseason Tournament, falls to Chapman University and Nebraska Wesleyan University; Ross Davidson named to All-Tournament Team

SANTA CRUZ, Calif. - The University of Dallas men's basketball team (4-23) wrapped up their 2010-11 season by competing in the AD3I Postseason Tournament, hosted on the campus of UC Santa Cruz. On Friday, Feb. 25, Dallas was defeated by Chapman University -- the eventual tournament champion -- by a score of 73-43. On Sunday, to conclude their season, the Crusaders were taken down by Nebraska Wesleyan University, 57-55.

Game 1: Dallas 43, Chapman University 73 Boxscore

The first half of play saw Dallas shoot 33.3 percent (6-of-18) from the field, while Chapman had things clicking, shooting 53.6 percent (15-of-28) from the field. At the break, the Crusaders trailed Chapman, 43-22.

When play resumed, Chapman came out in full force to the tune of a 30 point victory. Dallas was unable to gain ground on the Panthers, as Chapman netted 70.6 percent (12-of-17) from the field in the final period, while the Crusaders were held to 27.3 percent (6-of-22) shooting from the field in the second half.

Of note, freshman forward Ross Davidson (San Juan Capistrano, Calif./JSerra Catholic H.S.) totaled a game-high 17 points, sinking 6-of-14 from the field, including draining his lone three-pointer attempt and finishing 4-of-6 from the free throw line. He also grabbed five rebounds, had two blocks and a steal. No other Crusader entered double-figure scoring.

Game 2: Dallas 55, Nebraska Wesleyan University 57 Boxscore

Dallas concluded their season against Nebraska Weslyan University on Saturday, Feb. 26. Ross Davidson and junior guard Barrett Brown (Phoenix, Ariz./Mountain Pointe H.S.) did the heavy lifting for the Crusaders, with both players tallying a game-high 19 points.

Davidson on the afternoon shot 8-of-22 from the field, including netting 2-of-3 from three-point land and sinking his singular free throw attempt. Davidson also had eight boards. Meanwhile, Brown finished 5-of-12 from the field, while drilling 2-of-3 from distance and going 5-of-7 from the charity stripe. Brown also had a rebound, three assists and four steals.  

For his efforts spanning the course of Dallas' two games in the AD3I Postseason Tournament, Davidson was pegged an All-Tournament Team selection.

Dallas entered halftime trailing the Prairie Wolves, 31-27, after shooting 23.3 percent (7-of-30) from the floor, while Nebraska Wesleyan converted 50 percent (11-of-22) from the field in the first half. The Crusaders' success at the free throw line (10-of-11) kept them within striking distance.

Seeking to end the season on a winning note, Dallas stepped up their play in the second half, outscoring Nebraska Wesleyan, 28-26. The Crusaders, however, came up just short of surpassing the Prairie Wolves, as they lost by two points. In the final period of play, Dallas shot 37 percent (10-of-27) from the field, while Nebraska Wesleyan poured in 47.4 percent (9-of-19) of their attempts.

AD3I All-Tournament Team:
No. 23, Ross Davidson, Dallas
No. 10, Jonah Bradley, Nebraska
No. 12, Ryan Matsuoka, UCSC
No. 5, Greg Palmer, UCSC
No. 11, Griffin Ramme, Chapman
No. 22, Justin Riley, Chapman

Most Outstanding Player- Justin Riley, Chapman