Jan. 30, 2012
Final Stats
LAREDO, Texas - Dallas Baptist's Nick Fox, who finished with a game high 29 points, missed a game tying three with eight seconds to play Thursday night, as the Texas A&M International University Men's Basketball team held on to top Dallas Baptist 82-79.
The 79 points from the Patriots was the second most allowed by the Dustdevils this season and the most allowed in a conference game. The Dustdevils also hit only 18-34 free throws (52.9 percent), their second lowest percentage of the year.
"This was not the defensive effort we were looking for," said Head Coach Shane Rinner. "We gave up position to their big men all night, they were tougher than us, and we fouled too much. And we have to do a better job knocking down our free throws. If we had made those free throws, especially late in the game, they wouldn't have been within striking distance. I'd like to be 7-0, but 6-1 is as good as we could be after tonight. It's a nice position to be in, but I'm not exaggerating when I say we HAVE to win the rest of our games."
The Dustdevils jumped out in front early 7-0, but Dallas Baptist battled back to take an eight point lead (16-24) with 9:32 remaining in the opening period. Not to be outdone, TAMIU came roaring back over the next nine minutes firing off a 21-5 run to take an eight point lead of their own (37-29). However, the halftime momentum belonged to the Patriots as Ishmael Awange threw down a vicious dunk with 2 seconds to play, then Jordan McGowen converted a three-point play after stealing the inbounds pass to cut the lead three (37-34).
The Dustdevils opened the second half pushing their lead back to seven ... only to watch it wither away as Dallas Baptist took a five point lead (44-49) with 15:13 to play. Minutes later, TAMIU reclaimed the lead (54-51) as Armando Brito capped a 10-2 run converting a three-point play. The Dustevils extended their lead to as many as five points, but the Patriots answered each time TAMIU threatened to pull away.
Ryan McLucas and Brian Schaeffer, who finished with 11 and nine points respectively in the second half, each hit clutch three's down the stretch to keep TAMIU afloat. Scottie Payne, coming off a 12-12 performance from the charity stripe in their last game, was brilliant again hitting 7-8 from the line, including two huge free throws to give TAMIU a three point lead (82-79) with 23 seconds to play. Dallas Baptist's Nick Fox, who scored a game high 29 points, was off the mark with an attempt to tie with eight seconds remaining and their desperation attempt fell well short as the clock expired giving the Dustdevils the 82-79 win.
McLucas and Schaeffer each finished with 16 points apiece, followed by Payne with 14. James Silvie also scored in double figures adding 11. The Dustdevils shot 54.9 percent from the field and 42.1 percent from three-point range.
TAMIU improves to 6-1 in Heartland Conference play (16-4 overall) and has now won nine of their last ten games. The Dustdevils will continue their five game home stand Thursday evening, hosting the St. Edward's Hilltoppers (1-6 HC) at 7:30 at the KCB.
