Box Score LUBBOCK, Texas – With two seconds on the clock and program history hanging in the balance, Texas A&M International junior forward Vadal Faniel drew a game-changing foul from Lubbock Christian's Jeremy Ford. Faniel sunk both decisive free throws to lead the Dustdevils (11-3, 4-0 Heartland) over the Chaps, 83-82, in Lubbock on Saturday.
The victory rewrites the history books for TAMIU, standing as the school's program-best 11th straight victory. The Dustdevils opened their season at the Disney NCAA Division II Tip Off West Coast Classic with three losses against the nation's Nos. 2 and 5 ranked schools. Since its last loss on Nov. 10, 2013, TAMIU has averaged 92.2 points per game while holding opponents to just 71.5 points per game.
TAMIU's previous longest winning streak came in its 2010-11's Heartland Conference championship season, standing at 10 games.
On Saturday, it was Faniel's final two points and co-team high 17 points that maintained the team's Heartland Conference leading record. The Dustdevils sit atop the conference with St. Edward's (7-4, 3-0 Heartland) as the two are tied in the loss column.
Faniel, a former conference Player of the Week, also pulled in four rebounds, two assists and two steals while playing all but four minutes in the game.
Kevin Jefferson Jr. tied Faniel with 17 points in the game, adding two rebounds, three assists and a steal. Guards Matthew Culliver Jr. (11 points, 5 assists), Johnel Gray (11 points, 4 rebounds) and Deonnte Breedlove (10 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals) also finished with double-figure point totals.
Jordan Clark threw down eight points, joining Jamie Farrie (7 points) and Damal Donaldson (2 points) on the score sheet.
The Dustdevils forced 14 turnovers to produce 21 points, outscored the home team 28-26 in the paint and saw their bench pound a monstrous 34 points while holding LCU's substitutes to only 19 points.
The Dustdevils return to the TAMIU Kinesiology and Convocation Building on Jan. 9 to host McMurry (6-5, 2-1 Heartland) at 7:30 p.m. with hopes of extending their win streak to 12 games.
