Men's Basketball falls 80-69 to ETBU in season-opener despite Davidson's double-double

SHERMAN, Texas - The University of Dallas men's basketball team (0-1) faltered Friday evening 80-69 to East Texas Baptist University (ETBU) on the first day of Austin College's Bob Mason Classic. 

Dallas had the hot-hand early, amassing a 20-8 lead at 12:34. ETBU (1-0) countered with a 20-8 run of their own to tie the game 28-28 at the 3:43 mark of the opening half. 

With 13 points from junior forward Ross Davidson (Dana Point, Calif.) in the first half, the Crusaders had a 39-36 advantage entering the break. 

Davidson added six second-half points to finish tied for a game-high 19 points with ETBU's Kerry McClahan. He also managed 10 rebounds (one offensive) to merit a double-double in 30 minutes of work. 

ETBU captured a double-digit lead 6:26 into the second-half and did not look back. The Tigers grew their lead to as many as 14 before winning by 11 points. 

Dallas in the second-half went 10-of-29 (34.5 percent) from the field to ETBU's 19-of-38 (50 percent). 

ETBU won the battle on the boards (50-42), with 22 offensive rebounds to Dallas' 12. The Tigers also took points in the paint (38-28), second-chance points (22-5) and bench points (49-18). 

Three other Crusaders entered double-figure scoring. Senior forward Tanner Bruffey (Lubbock, Texas) totalled 15 points, while the guard duo of sophomore Kym Malone (Richardson, Texas) and junior Nate Wilson (Fairbanks, Alaska) contributed 10 apiece.

Next opponent: 

Dallas and Millsaps College (0-1) will match-up Saturday at 2 p.m. in day two of the Bob Mason Classic in Sherman, Texas.

Since their last meeting (01/15/12) -- a 56-55 OT win for Dallas -- the Majors have left the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference for the Southern Athletic Association. 

Live stats and video will be provided by Austin College.