@UDallasMBB prevails 71-69 in season-opener over Lebanon Valley (PA)
ARLINGTON, Va. - The University of Dallas men's basketball team (1-0) staved-off Lebanon Valley College (0-1), 71-69, on Saturday afternoon in the Pablo Coto Tip-Off Tournament hosted by Marymount University at Verizon Sports Arena.
The Crusaders entered halftime with a 37-29 deficit following a red-hot first-half by the Flying Dutchmen, who converted 57.7-percent (15 of 26) from the field. Dallas shot 30.8-percent (8 of 26) in the opening-half, but remained within striking distance.
They went on a 12-2 run to open the second-half, and seized their first lead of the game with 16:29 remaining. Senior forward Ross Davidson (Dana Point, Calif.) accounted for eight points in this swing, and finished with a team-high 23 points to go with seven rebounds (two offensive) and an assist in 35 minutes of play.
With 3:36 to go in the contest, head coach Jarred Samples' squad grew their advantage to a game-high 14 points. Things, however, got interesting from there as Lebanon countered with seven-unanswered points to make the score 66-62 with just over a minute left.
The Flying Dutchmen played the foul-game, late, and a Luke Berguson three-pointer pulled Lebanon to within one (70-69) with four seconds on the scoreboard. Davidson proceeded to sink the front-end of a pair of free throws to help Dallas survive a thrilling season-opener.
Junior forward Aaron Wyatt (Frisco, Texas) recorded a double-double for the white and blue, pairing 11 points with a game-high 14 rebounds (five offensive). Senior guard Nate Wilson (Fairbanks, Alaska) netted 20 points to give the Crusaders three student-athletes in double-figures. Wilson deposited three of his team's seven trifectas on the game. Kevin Agnew tallied a game-high 26 points for Lebanon.
The Crusaders took points-off-turnovers (21-11) and second-chance points (14-8).
Next Opponent:
Dallas will battle the winner of Marymount/York College (Penn.) on Sunday at 3:30 p.m. in the championship game of the Pablo Coto Tip-Off Tournament.