FORT SMITH, Texas – Exactly seven days ago, Texas A&M International saw its Heartland Conference regular season crown stolen by the University of Arkansas-Fort Smith – and with it went the top seed in the Heartland Conference Tournament and the right to host. On Saturday, the Dustdevils avenged that defeat with a 76-72 crowning victory over the University of Texas of the Permian Basin.

Reigning as the Heartland Conference Tournament champions, the Dustdevils (22-8, 13-5 Heartland) clinched an automatic qualification to the NCAA Division II South Central Regional Tournament on March 15-18. The Dustdevils split the regular season series with the Falcons (17-11), winning a 77-72 contest in Odessa, Texas, on Jan. 2 and losing in Laredo on Feb. 15 in a 79-74 game.

On Saturday it was a time to shine for TAMIU's All-Heartland Conference Tournament honorary team members: Tournament Most Valuable Player Jordan Clark and All-Tournament teamer Deonnte Breedlove. Clark was the only non-guard to earn acclaim, as guards from St. Mary's, UAFS and two from UTPB were honored.

Clark, a senior forward from Houston, drained 18 points in 36 minutes. He rocked the rims with a team-high seven rebounds, dealt three assists, one rejected shot and two steals against UTPB. In Friday's semifinal victory against St. Mary's, Clark nearly posted a double-double with 10 points and eight rebounds.

Breedlove, a junior sharpshooting guard from Washington, Texas, earned his honors via his team- and career-high 23 points off 5-for-15 shooting from the field and 11-for-15 shooting from the free throw line. He played all but seven minutes, making four rebounds, two assists and three steals.

The Dustdevils defended well, creating 19 turnovers that led to 24 points – more than three times as much as UTPB scored off TAMIU giveaways. TAMIU scored twice as many points off second chances (14-6) and nearly four times as many bench points (39-14) than the Falcons.

Kevin Jefferson Jr. finished with 15 points, three boards, an assist and two steals. Vadal Faniel scored nine points with five assists and three rebounds. Senior guard Matthew Culliver Jr. scored eight points and a pair of assists, steals and rebounds. Senior big man Damal Donaldson scored a pair and monstered his way to six rebounds in 20 minutes.

The Dustdevils will now await their fate, waiting for the NCAA Division II selection show on March 9 at 9:30 p.m. The selection show can be viewed online at www.ncaa.com/live/player?vid=2014/1346&date=2014/03/09.