Feb. 10, 2011

Final Stats

Texas A&M International University defeated Oklahoma Panhandle State 74-70 in Heartland Conference action on Thursday evening in Goodwell, Okla.

The result places TAMIU in first place in the Heartland Conference standings with a 7-2 league record, one half game ahead of St. Mary's (6-2 Heartland). St. Mary's did not play tonight and will return to action on Saturday at OPSU.

TAMIU (17-7, 7-2 Heartland) led 36-27 at halftime and 55-44 eight minutes into the second half before OPSU (5-18, 2-5) fought back to cut the deficit to 68-67 on two free throws at the 1:37 mark.

Will Faiivae hit a jumper on TAMIU's next possession to give the Dustdevils a 70-67 lead and Ryan McLucas then made two free throws with 45 seconds left in the game to stretch the lead to 72-67.

Jermaine Smith nailed a 3-pointer on OPSU's next trip down the court to cut the TAMIU lead to 72-70 but that would be the last basket of the evening for the Aggies.

OPSU missed two free throws trailing 73-70 with less than 10 seconds remaining. Scottie Payne then put the game out of reach at 74-70 by making one of two free throws for the Dustdevils with five seconds left in the contest.

The Aggies had time for a final 3-point attempt but even if they had made it, it would have been too little, too late for the home team.

Ian Salter came off the bench to contribute a team-high 11 points for the Dustdevils. Ryan McLucas, Evan Matteson and Faiivae contributed 10 points apiece.

James Silvie finished with a team-high 10 rebounds. TAMIU out-rebounded OPSU 35-27.