ORANGE, California (November 6, 2016) - The Texas A&M International University Men's Basketball team concluded play in the 2016 CCA Division II Tip-Off Classic on Sunday. TAMIU earned a 64-61 victory over St. Cloud State. The Dustdevils finish the weekend 1-2.

Senior Denzel Bellot dropped 24 points in TAMIU's first win of the 2016-17 season. The Dustdevils held off a second half push from the Huskies en route to a three point win on Saturday.

The Dustdevils came out strong in the third game of the season, scoring 35 points in the first 20 minutes of play. After a tight first half of play, Bellot drained a three with eight seconds left, allowing TAMIU to go up 35-28. Bellot finished the first half with 11 points and four rebounds. Bunja Yaboe picked up seven points and a rebound.

TAMIU would push their lead to 11 in the second half before St. Cloud put together a late rally. The Huskies would come within two points of TAMIU but the Dustdevils never surrendered the lead. Late free-throws would allow the Huskies to come within three before the final buzzer sounded. Bellot would add 13 points and a rebound in the second half. Kenny Hatch added nine points, an assist, and three rebounds.

The Dustdevils were led by Bellot and Hatch throughout the game. Hatch finished with 12 points, six boards, and assists. Arthur Santanna and Bellot each finished with a team high five rebounds. Santanna recorded two steals in the win.

TAMIU went 10-20 from the stripe, sinking six three-point shots. The Dustdevils put up 34 points in the painted area and created 12 points off turnovers. The Dustdevil bench contributed 15 points.

Head Coach Bryan Weakley commented after the win, "We played great defense today. We got a lot better this week. I know we will look back on this weekend after the season is over and be glad we played in this tournament. When you play against the best it shows you how much you have to work on."

The Dustdevils return to Laredo for the home-opener this Friday. TAMIU will take on South Dakota School of the Mines on Friday in the TAMIU KCB. Tip-off is slated for 7pm CST.

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