Crusaders Hold On Against HPU For First Win of the Season

BROWNWOOD, Texas - The University of Dallas men's basketball team won their non-conference match with Howard Payne University 68-65 on Friday.  They improve to 1-2 on the season, with two more games remaining on their preseason schedule.

Things were tight right from tip-off, but the Yellow Jackets edge early on, nursing a five to seven point lead for much of the first half.  Dallas found their rhythm in the final four minutes of the period, outscoring HPU 11-4 to tie it up at halftime.

It wasn't long though before the Yellow Jackets reestablished their lead, leading by as many as 11 points in the second half.  But the Crusaders hit their stride as the second half wore on, going on a 21-7 run to take a 65-61 lead with three and a half minutes left.  Jack Boyle scored 11 of those points, with Letrell Toussaint and Jaxon Miles providing the rest of the scoring.

The Yellow Jackets tried to fight their way back, but would never reclaim the lead as Dallas hung on for their first win of the season.

Toussaint led the Crusaders with 21 points on the night, his highest total of the season thus far.  Jack Boyle recorded his third straight double-double with 20 points and 11 rebounds.  Jaxon Miles had the best night of his young Crusader career, going 6-16 from the floor with 16 points.

"It was great to grind out a win on a night where we didn't shoot as well as we would've liked," said head coach Matt Grahn.  "It was all grit, effort, and sheer determination that got it done for us tonight."

Up Next

The Crusaders are on the road the rest of the month.  They will face Belhaven on Tuesday, Nov. 22 at 5:00 p.m. in Jackson, Mississippi.