Box Score LAREDO, Texas – Newman visited the campus of Heartland Conference-leading Texas A&M International on Saturday in hopes of upending the Dustdevils. But it was the home team that built a 17-point lead, let it slip away, and finally closed off a 93-89 victory at the TAMIU Kinesiology and Convocation Building.
With the win and a simultaneous Arkansas-Fort Smith (15-4, 8-3 Heartland) loss, the Dustdevils (17-4 10-1 HC) now lead the league by two games with seven remaining in the regular season. The regular season champion wins the chance to host the four-team postseason tournament for an opportunity to participate in the NCAA Division II tournament.
High-flying junior forward Jordan Clark produced a potent game, scoring a game-high 27 points with seven rebounds, two assists, a block and two steals.
Kevin Jefferson Jr. scored 18 points and pulled in four boards with three assists and a steal, Damal Donaldson scored 12 points with three rebounds, Matthew Culliver Jr. constructed a double-double with 10 points and 12 rebounds – 11 of which were on the defensive side of the ball – to accompany his six assists and steal.
Deonnte Breedlove also scored 10 points while dishing four assists.
Former Heartland Conference Player of the Week Vadal Faniel scored eight points and made two rebounds, Johnel Gray scored five points and Jamie Farrie scored two.
The Dustdevils next travel to face second-place UAFS on Feb. 6 at 7:30 p.m. in a battle between the league's top two competitors.
