Laredo, Texas (November 11, 2017) – The Texas A&M International University men's basketball team suffered a 93-66 setback at the hands of South Dakota School of Mines and Technology on Saturday afternoon at the TAMIU Kinesiology and Convocation Center.
"That was the second most embarrassing performance during my nine year career at TAMIU," said head coach
Bryan Weakley. "We have to figure out how much we care and find guys who have more passion."
Xabier Gomez was one of three Dustdevils in double-figures as he led the team with 14 points on 4-of-4 shooting from the free throw line. Kamari Robinson chipped in 11 points of his own with Jeremy Wright registering10 points and five assists. Damon Leach came off the bench to score seven points, five rebounds and two assists. SDSMT (1-1) outshot TAMIU (1-1) 54 percent from the field to 45 percent while going 14-24 from the three-point line.
The Dustdevils never led in the first half as the Hardrockers jumped out to an early 4-0 lead on a free throw from Logan Elers and a three from Jake Heath. TAMIU tied it up heading into the first media timeout on a lay up from Dan Milota. SDSMT would go on a 16-7 run courtesy of four TAMIU turnovers. A layup from Jeremy Wright at 7:06 cut the lead to five but a three from Jack Fiddler and layup from Elers returned the Hardrockers lead to double-digits. SDSMT scored the final eight points of the first half after the Dustdevils had got within seven on a three from Danny Spinuzza.
The Hardrockers opened the second half on a 11-2 run extending their lead to 23 points. Gomez chipped at into the lead at 14:57 with a pair of free throws but the Dustdevils couldn't find hold any rhythm. Troy Brady hit one of his four threes on the night just after the second media timeout making it a 23 point game before Leach's three point play made it 62-42.
Trying to rally TAMIU's offense, Gomez hit a three followed by a pair of free throws to cutting the lead to 17 with 6:28 remaining but that was the closest the Dustdevils would get as the Hardrockers finished the game on a 20-10 run.
The Dustdevils return to action next week, Nov. 17 and 18, at the St. Mary's University Classic with games against Randall University and Wisconsin-Parkside.
