Men’s basketball upended by UTPB

Courtesy LMT

Box Score

ODESSA (February 1, 2013): Courtesy LMT - In a potentially huge game towards deciding the final four to make the Heartland Conference Tournament, the Texas A&M International men’s basketball team fell apart.

Leading 44-25 with 14:14 remaining, the Dusdevils watched UTPB run off a 30-4 run and roll towards a 72-62 victory.

After giving up only 23 points in the firsr half, TAMIU allowed 49 points in the second as the Falcons handed the Dustdevils their fourth conference loss of the season.

The loss drops TAMIU, which had sole possession of third place in the Heartland Conference, into a three-way tie for third along with UTPB and St. Mary’s. After the loss yesterday, the Dustdevils have split the season series with the Falcons this year. They lost on the road to the Rattlers 59-38 on Dec. 1 and have a rematch in Laredo on March 2 at 4 p.m.

Junior Jordan Clark led the way offensively for TAMIU with 15 points on 7-of-9 shooting with four rebounds and two assists. Classmate Matthew Culliver Jr. scored 11 and led the team with seven rebounds, six assists and two steals but had a season-high seven turnovers. Johnel Gray, who was averaging 19.3 points in the past three games, was held to just five.

UTPB made up ground on the Dustdevils by getting to the free-throw line. TAMIU put the Falcons on the line a season-high 48 times, accounting in 36 points. Meanwhile, Weakley’s squad made just 9 of 20 from the charity stripe.

The free throws helped offset UTPB shooting just 37 percent from the field (15 of 41), compared to 46 percent (24 of 52) for the Dustdevils.

TAMIU is now facing a critical stretch of its season and will look to rebound at home this week against the two best teams in the Heartland Conference. The Dustdevils host Newman (16-3, 6-2) on Thursday at 7:30 p.m. before taking on Arkansas-Fort Smith (12-7, 7-1) Saturday at 4.

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