Skip to navigation Skip to content Skip to footer
UNIVERSITY OF DALLAS ATHLETICS
Crusaders Outdo Centenary in 2nd Half for 1st Win
Posted: Jan 30, 2021

Crusaders Outdo Centenary in 2nd Half for 1st Win

Photos Video Video Box Score
Game Leaders
Centenary College of Louisiana
Pts: Ralph Johnson - 23
Reb: Neil Hawkins - 9
Ast: AJ Hall - 2
University of Dallas
Pts: Marcus Juarez - 14
Reb: Jack Boyle - 19
Ast: Jai Love - 5
Team Stats
Full stats

IRVING, Texas - The University of Dallas men's basketball team ended their four game homestand against Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference (SCAC) opponent Centenary College of Louisiana on Saturday. Dallas finally got out of the winless club this season, defeating the Gents 67-60.

UD's acquired its first win of the season due to a balanced scoring effort.  Five Crusaders scored in double digits.  Marcus Juarez (Clint, Texas) led the pack with 14 points.  Jai Love (St. Louis, Mo.) followed with 13 points.  Jack Boyle (Silver Spring, Md.) and Louis Christifano Jr (Overland Park, Kan.) each popped 11 points, and Cameran Hyde (Missouri City, Texas) rounded out the quintet with 10 points.

Centenary had a slight edge over Dallas in the first half, leading most of the way with their largest lead at 25-18.  After closing the gap to four at halftime, Dallas came out hot in the second half going on a 20-4 run and taking their largest lead at 47-35.  Centenary threatened a comeback bid, but the Gents were staved off by the Crusaders.  The closest Centenary narrowed the deficit was four.

In his second consecutive start, Boyle had his second straight double-double with 19 rebounds and three blocked shots to go along with his 11 points.  Boyle had a fantastic overall performance in the series versus Centenary as the freshman ended the weekend with 29 points, 34 rebounds, and nine blocked shots.

The game opened with Centenary striking first with a layup by Tykeem Singleton followed by a three pointer by Ralph Johnson.  Dallas answered with an 8-0 run to take the lead 8-5, which the Gents responded to with a 12-3 run and a 17-11 lead.  Centenary maintained their lead through halftime, ending the half at 31-27.  Dallas regained the lead on five straight points by Love less than one minute into the second half.  UD's lead prevailed for the rest of the game, preventing Centenary from getting any closer than a two possession game.  The closest the Gents came to tying the game was four points, which occurred multiple times at 54-50, 56-52, 59-55, and 61-57.

Christifano was clutch for UD down the home stretch going 6-6 from the foul line in the last 23 seconds of the game.  Christifano took eight free throws in the game and never missed. Love had a game high five assists, and Mathis led all players with three steals.

The Crusaders were able to stifle Centenary's Seth Thomas and Kile Mingo for a combined 10 points and 2-14 shooting from the floor.  Thomas and Mingo were the high scorers on Friday night having combined for 31 points and shooting 12-22.

UD was unable to hold Johnson in check as the sophomore had his first game over 20 points this season, ending the game with 23 points on 8-16 from the field, 2-3 from deep, and 5-7 from the line.  Neil Hawkins just missed a double-double for the game scoring nine points and gathering nine rebounds.  Hawkins also led Centenary with two blocked shots.

The game also featured a pair of players fouling out.  Centenary's Singleton and then UD's Mathis each drew their fifth foul in the last minute of the game.

Dallas will go on the road next week for a two game series against Schreiner University.  Game times in Kerrville will be at 8 p.m on Friday February 5th and 4 p.m. Saturday February 6th.