Box Score LAREDO, Texas – Texas A&M International has already set a new standard for consecutive wins this season, but a win over Heartland Conference rival McMurry on Thursday at the TAMIU Kinesiology and Convocation Building would put the Dustdevils all alone atop the Heartland.
That win came, in an 85-60 fast-paced affair, to stretch the Dustdevils program-record win streak to 12 games. Coupled with a St. Edward's (7-5, 3-1 Heartland) loss to St. Mary's (11-2, 4-1 Heartland), the Dustdevils (12-3, 5-0 Heartland) now stand by themselves in first place. Only the conference's top four full-member teams will qualify for the postseason tournament.
Despite the buzz around the program's strong standing and historic streak, the Dustdevils remained focused in their first home game in 20 days.
"We've talked, as a team, about this winning streak," Dustdevils head coach Bryan Weakley said. "But all we've said is that we won't mention it until the end of the year. That's when it will be appropriate to look back at it.
"Right now, we are focused on whoever's next on the schedule and what we have to do to take care of them. At the moment, a tough St. Edward's team is next (on Saturday at 3 p.m.)."
The Dustdevils saw four starters score double-digit totals, led by Johnel Gray's mammoth 26 point game. His total serves as his season-high, the game's high, and as his NCAA career high. He also pulled in five rebounds and dished three assists.
"We've really been challenging Johnel this season," Weakley said. "He's a natural scorer, but we want to see him become a truly great player by becoming a complete player. He did that (Thursday) with his defending and his rebounding.
"Our team goal for every game is to hold the opponent to 60 points or less. We did it for the first time against a NCAA Division II opponent since our second game of the season, and Johnel was a big part of that."
Joining Gray, senior guard Matthew Culliver Jr. scored 15 points in 25 minutes while assisting on seven plays. Dustdevils' big men Damal Donaldson and Jordan Clark each scored 11 points, while fellow post Vadal Faniel pulled in a game-high 10 rebounds.
The Dustdevils will look for their 13th straight victory against the Hilltoppers on Saturday at 3 p.m.
