Trinity thwarts @UDallasMBB, 64-59

IRVING, Texas - The University of Dallas men's basketball team (8-8, 2-4 SCAC) was clipped 64-59 by Trinity University (10-7, 5-1 SCAC) on Friday night at the Maher Athletic Center.

The first-half had nine lead changes, before the Crusaders took a 26-24 advantage into the break.

Head coach Jarred Samples' squad boasted a half-high five-point (24-19) lead, with 1:59 left in the initial period, but Robert Kitzinger kept the Tigers within striking distance.

Kitzinger's 12 points topped all scorers entering halftime. He finished with a game-high 33 points in 28 minutes on the court. Kitzinger was 10-of-12 from the field, including 5-of-6 from 3-point range, and ended 8-of-8 from the free-throw line.

There were five more lead changes to closeout the game. Dallas held a game-high six-point lead (46-40), with 10:41 to go in the contest, and deposited 13-of-25 (52 percent) from the field in the second-half.

Senior forward/center Ross Davidson's (Dana Point, Calif.) team-high 18 points for the navy and white could not stave-off the Tigers.

Fortune favored Trinity down the stretch, as they snatched victory from the Crusaders in the game's final five minutes.

Dallas resorted to foul tactics, late, but Kitzinger was automatic from the charity stripe. He sank four attempts in the affair's final 20 seconds. The Tigers got to the line 14 more times than their counterpart.

Kitzinger was the lone Tiger to enter double-figure scoring, while Blaine Blackburn (Midlothian, Texas) recorded 10 points for Dallas.

The Crusaders outrebounded their counterpart (34-32) and won points in the paint (20-10). They, however, were forced into 16 turnovers, and lost fast-break points (12-2).

Next opponent: 

Dallas hosts Southwestern University (5-11, 2-4 SCAC) in a 12 p.m. tip-off on Sunday.