Crusaders Defeated By Norse In Final Non-Conference Game

IRVING, Texas -  The University of Dallas men's basketball team lost their non-conference matchup with Luther College 77-56 this afternoon.  They fall to a 3-8 overall record on the year.

It had been 10 days since the Crusaders were last on the court together and it showed, as they were outscored 16-0 in the first five and a half minutes of today's contest.  Dallas got off just three shots and turned the ball over five times in that span.  They would find their rhythm and outscore the Norse 33-29 the rest of the first half, but their early struggles saw them take a 12-point deficit into halftime.

Though things certainly improved in the second half for a time, the Crusaders could not chip away at their deficit.  After trading blows with Luther for the first few minutes of the second half, the Norse sugred forward to take their biggest lead of the night at 24 points with just over 10 minutes remaining in the game.  Two lengthy dry spells ensured there would be no late comeback; the Crusaders went three and a half minutes without scoring midway through the period, and went the etirety of the final five minutes of the game without a bucket.  Though they had their best night of the season from the free throw line (16-18, 89%), the Crusaders lost their third straight game with their lowest score yet this year.

Cameran Hyde led all players with 16 points, going 6-14 from the field with four rebounds and two steals.  TJ Williams got his first significant playing time of the season; the freshman made a palpable impact on the court, scoring eight points in 11 minutes, going 3-5 from the field.

Up Next

The Crusaders will resume conference play this Friday against Colorado College.  Tip-off is set for 2:00 p.m. in Colorado Springs.