Big Second Half Pushes Crusaders Past Southwestern

December 29, 2023

GEORGETOWN, Texas - The University of Dallas men's basketball team won their conference game against Southwestern University 69-59 on Friday, improving to 5-8 on the year and 2-3 in conference play.

The Crusaders got off to a slow start, going oh for their first six shots from the field and were just 3-of-12 in the first eight minutes of the game.  The Pirates took an early lead by shooting 5-of-10 from the field in the same span.

Though Dallas got their shots to fall as the first half wore on, they were never quite as sharp as they wanted to be, shooting 38% from the field the remainder of the first half.  Southwestern had the edge in volume and efficiency, but were well within reach as they went into halftime with a five point lead.

It didn't take long for the Crusaders to erase that deficit, scoring on both of their first two possessions in the second half to make it a 34-34 game.  The game was tied up on three more occasions after that, with Dallas taking a 50-48 lead with just over seven minutes left for what would be the final lead change of the contest.

Dallas slowly, but surely extended their lead, going 6-of-12 from the field in the final seven minutes.  They played stifling defense as well, holding the Pirates to 11 points in the same span to win by double-digits.

Jack Boyle was the night's co-leader in points with 17, sharing the lead with Southwestern's Gio Gutierrez.  Boyle also led all players with 19 rebounds, securing another double-double on the season.

Kelton Coleman was 5-of-9 from the field and 3-of-5 from the line, scoring 16 points with five rebounds, three assists, and three steals.    

Up Next

The Crusaders will face Texas Lutheran on the road tomorrow evening, Dec. 30 at 4:00 pm.