Crusaders Beaten At the Buzzer in Double-Overtime

IRVING, Texas - The University of Dallas men's basketball team kicked off their season in dramatic fashion on Saturday.  They battled Rhodes College to double-overtime, but lost 84-83 on a buzzer-beater.

The Crusaders were the much better side in the early goings of the game.  Though both teams were struggling to maintain control of the ball, Dallas made good on their chances to jump out to a 17-6 lead after eight minutes.  Though Dallas held a 12 point lead midway through the period, the Lynx found their footing and outscored the Crusaders 21-11 in the final six minutes to cut the deficit to just one point.

Dallas rattled off seven unanswered points inside of two minutes to open the second half, forcing an early timeout by Rhodes.  From that moment on, it was anybody's ball game, with neither side ever leading by more than five points the rest of the way.  Both teams had a chance to win the game in the final minute, but regulation would end all square at 64-64.

Two turnovers by UD and a couple of buckets by Rhodes gave the Lynx the biggest lead in over 15 minutes at 69-64, Zac Olmsted tied it back up with a three-pointer and two free throws.  Rhodes' Jefferson Walker nearly ended the game with a layup at the buzzer, but his attempt lipped out, sending the game to double-overtime at 71-71.

The two sides traded the lead once again, but Jack Boyle put the Crusaders up 82-80 with a pair of free throws in the final 20 seconds.  Dallas was up 83-81 with nine seconds left, but Rhodes broke the Crusaders' hearts with a three-pointer from the corner to win the game at the buzzer.

Jack Boyle picked up right where he left off, getting himself a double-double with 21 points and 15 rebounds.  Louis Christifano Jr. was second on the team with 16 points, going 3-5 from three.

Up Next

The Crusaders are back in action against UTD.  They will host the Comets Wednesday, Nov. 16 at 7:00 p.m.