Jan. 10, 2009

Final Stats

Texas A&M International University defeated Oklahoma Panhandle State 91-63 in Heartland Conference action on Saturday afternoon at the TAMIU Kinesiology & Convocation Building. The win boosts TAMIU to a 2-0 start in conference play for the first time in the six year history of the program.

TAMIU (4-9, 2-0 Heartland) led 36-27 at the break but came out sluggish to start the second half. OPSU (3-10, 02) cut the lead to 48-38 on a jumper by Marques Loftis at the 15:08 mark of the second half.

The Dustdevils broke out of their funk at that point, responding with a 22-4 run that built a 70-42 lead at the 10:00 mark. The Aggies would get no closer than 20 points the rest of the game.

Derek Barnes led TAMIU with 23 points and a career-high tying eight assists. Sean Tucker added 17 points and Jerante Morgan 15 points.

Chris Buttermore and Mark Walton contributed big games off the bench. Buttermore finished with 11 points and a team-high six rebounds and Walton contributed 10 points in only eight minutes.

TAMIU will conclude its conference season-opening three game homestand on Tuesday against Dallas Baptist. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m.