Men's Basketball 1/19/2013 10:54:00 PM

Jefferson and Culliver lead Dustdevils past St. Edward’s

Box Score LAREDO, Texas (January 19) – Kevin Jefferson Jr. and Matt Culliver each scored 11 second half points as the TAMIU men’s basketball team earned a hard fought win over visiting St. Edward’s University 73-60 Saturday afternoon at the TAMIU KCB.

Trailing by six at the break, the Dustdevils caught fire in the second half shooting 75 percent from the field including 71.4 percent from three-point range to earn their third conference win of the season.

“We played unselfish and worked for uncontested shots in the second half,” said Head Coach Bryan Weakley. “I was also proud of our defensive effort in the second period. We have to keep teams in the 60’s in order for us to have success. We came out and got steps when we needed them.”

Jefferson finished the game with a season-high 15 points in addition to three rebounds, two assists, and a steal.

“Kevin played great,” said Coach Weakley, “he has played well in his last six straight games. He has to do it night in and night out for us to maximize our team.”

The Dustdevils shot 60 percent from the field and 50 percent from three-point range for the game, both their second best marks for the season.

The Hilltoppers opened the game on a 12-5 run, but the Dustdevils fought back to tie the game at 22 after five straight points from Johnel Gray and a three from Danny Rosas. St. Edward’s answered with an 8-2 run to a take a 32-26 lead before Culliver hit a bucket in the paint to pull TAMIU within four. Quinton Lilley connected on a jumper with 42 seconds left in the half and Culliver missed a three at the other end, sending the game into the break with the Hilltoppers up 34-28.

Jordan Clark set the tone for the second half, opening with a thunderous dunk to cut the lead to 34-30. The Dustdevils then went on a 15-2 run to take a 45-37 lead with 13:20 remaining in the game. After a three from Hilltopper guard Conner Kjer cut the lead to six points, Damal Donaldson scored five straight for TAMIU to push the lead out to 53-42.

St. Edward’s rallied to pull within three points at 53-50, but Jefferson went on a tear scoring six straight for the Dustdevils to give TAMIU some breathing room. It was Cullver’s turn next as he outscored St. Edward’s 8-2 over the next two minutes to keep TAMIU on top 65-54. After another three by Kjer, Clark came through with another big dunk to keep the momentum rolling for the Dustdevils. TAMIU outscored St. Edward’s 4-3 in the game’s final two minutes to secure the win 73-60.

Matt Culliver matched Kevin Jefferson with 15 total points, adding eight rebounds and four assists. Johnel Gray added 13 points, while Jordan Clark and Damal Donaldson each finished with nine.

Both Stukes and Kjer led the Hilltoppers with 14 points. Johnson narrowly missed a double-double with 11 points and nine rebounds.

The win keeps TAMIU in sole possession of fourth place in the conference standings with a 3-3 conference record, a half-game ahead of Dallas Baptist. The Patriots have lost five straight and will match up with St. Mary’s and then face off against the Dustdevils next week. TAMIU will be back in action Thursday, January 24 in Edmond, Oklahoma taking on Oklahoma Christian before heading south to battle Dallas Baptist.

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