Late Push Not Enough for Crusaders vs Belhaven

JACKSON, Miss. - The Univeresity of Dallas men's basketball team lost their non-conference match with Belhaven University 66-59 on Tuesday.  They fall to 1-3 on the year with one more game remaining on their preseason schedule.

Both teams got off to a bit of a slow start; it took three minutes for the first point to be scored, a free throw by Jacob Giunta.  While the Crusaders had the lead after six and a half minutes, the Dallas offense would continue to struggle while Belhaven was able to find their rhythm.  Though they were still scoring some points from the free throw line, Dallas had a nearly nine minute stretch without a field goal, during which the Blazers were able to build a 10 point cushion. 

The Crusaders had the lead down to seven with two minutes left thanks to a vicious second chance dunk my Letrell Toussaint, but Belhaven would build that lead back up to 13 going into halftime.

It was tit for tat much of the second half, with the Blazers holding onto their double-digit lead for 16 minutes.  The Crusaders went on a 17-5 scoring run over a seven minute span to nearly erase the deficit, with Toussaint making it a 62-58 game on a layup with 1:25 left in the game.  That would be the closest they got, however, as the Blazers held off the late push and held on for the 66-59 win.

Toussaint had his second straight game with 20+ points, leading the team with 20 points and snagging eight rebounds.  Jaxon Miles had 10 points with six rebounds, going 8-10 from the free throw line.  Jack Boyle lead all players with 11 rebounds and notched eight points.  It was his fourth straight game with double-digit rebounds, though his double-double streak will end at three games.

Up Next

The Crusaders final preseason game will be on the road against Hendrix College.  They will face the Warriors on Sunday, Nov. 27 at 3:00 p.m.