Box Score ABILENE, Texas – Tied atop the Heartland Conference with just one last game to play, Texas A&M International kept its pace for at least a share of the regular season championship on Saturday, defeating McMurry 83-79. The University of Arkansas-Fort Smith (20-5, 13-4 Heartland) also won to remain in a tie for first on Saturday.
One last game for each team will decide who will wear the conference crown and host the postseason tournament – to be played by the league's top four finishers. Traditionally, the regular season champion hosts the tournament, but in the case of a tie for first place, both teams would be crowned co-champions and a series of tie-breakers would determine which school hosts.
UAFS closes its season at home against Rogers State (15-9, 10-6 Heartland), while TAMIU (20-7, 13-4 Heartland) visits third-place St. Mary's (17-7, 10-6 Heartland) on March 1.
On Saturday against McMurry, the Dustdevils saw four of five starters and five total players finish with double-digit point totals. Senior point guard Matthew Culliver Jr. paced the pack with a team-high 17 points and game-high six assists. He played all but eight minutes, swiping a pair of steals and pulling in five rebounds while shooting 60 percent from the field.
Fellow senior Jordan Clark wasn't far behind, scoring 16 points in 31 minutes. He sizzled from the free throw line, converting 6-of-8 shots from the stripe. He pulled in five boards and dealt an assist to complement his one rejected shot and one steal.
Senior big man Damal Donaldson scored 13 points – shooting 50 percent from the field and 75 percent from the free throw line – while also pulling in a game-high six rebounds with two assists and a steal.
Deonnte Breedlove and Kevin Jefferson Jr. both scored 12 points. Breedlove shot 50 percent from the field and from long range while also pulling in five defensive rebounds. Jefferson grabbed four boards and dealt an assist, stuffed a shot and stole a ball defensively.
Former Heartland Conference Player of the Week Vadal Faniel scored eight points with an assist and a rejection
The Dustdevils' regular season finale will come against South Texas rival, St. Mary's, on March 1 at 3 p.m. The Dustdevils Department of Athletics is sending a Fan Bus to San Antonio for the game, with the travel package and game tickets costing only $10 for students with valid TAMIU OneCards and $20 for general admission. Fans can sign up at https://secure.touchnet.com/C20208_ustores/web/store_main.jsp?STOREID=46.
