TOURNAMENT CENTRAL | GAME NOTES

LAREDO, TEXAS (November 29, 2017) – The Texas A&M International University men's basketball team will host Paul Quinn and Arlington Baptist as part the 2017 Courtyard Marriot Classic on Thursday and Friday at the TAMIU Kinesiology and Convocation Building. Tip off is set for 7 p.m. as both games will be broadcast on the Heartland Conference Digital Network.
 
ABOUT TAMIU
The Dustdevils are looking to get back to winning ways after dropping three games last week to a pair of Lone Star Conference opponents. Head coach Bryan Weakley's team is holding opponents to 69 points a game which ranks second in the Heartland Conference and 57^th nationally. The Dustdevils are shooting 41.7% from the field and 34.6 from 3-point range.
 
Jeremy Wright (13.6 ppg, 4.6 apg, 2.3 spg) continues to be the top scoring option for the Dustdevils having scored in double-digits in all seven games this season. He ranks 10^th in the Heartland Conference in scoring but ranks 22^nd nationally in total steals (16) and 47^th in assists (32). The senior from Gardena, Calif. will look to regain his shooting touch after going 10-of-31 from the field and 5-of-16 from 3-point range over the past two games.
 
Dan Milota (12.4 ppg, 3.9 rpg) has stepped up big for the Dustdevils nearly doubling his scoring average from last year. His versatility in the post and behind the arc has caused problems for opposing defenses as the Prague, Czech Repbulic product is averaging 50.5% from the field and 42.9% from 3-point range. Xabier Gomez (11.6 ppg, 4.1 rpg) and Kamari Robinson (10.4 ppg, 6.1 rpg) will look to rebound after season-low performances against Western New Mexico on Monday. Gomez was held without a field goal for the first time in his career with Robinsons struggled to make an impact a game removed from his first career double-double.
 
 Danny Spinuzza (3.4 ppg, 3.0 rpg) has been one of the first players off the bench for the Dustdevils including a 7-point performance against WNMU on Monday. Chris McDonald (2.7 ppg, 2.1 rpg) also had a nice game against the Mustangs with five points, three rebounds and three assists.
 
ABOUT PAUL QUINN COLLEGE
Located in Dallas, Texas, with an enrollment of 700 students, Paul Quinn is 2-3 on the season. The Tigers are coached by Maruice West.
 
The Tigers average 72.6 points per game and are led by Joshua Cruz (17.8 ppg, 3.2 rpg) and Jesse Williams (17.2 ppg, 5.6 rpg). Cruz can score from all over as the sophomore guard is shooting 48.6% from the field, 30.0% from three and 68.4% from the free-throw line. Williams, the lone senior on the squad, has done most of his work from the charity stripe with 22 of his 86 points coming from the line. Spencer McElway (11.4 ppg, 10.8 rpg) is a force down in the post for the Tigers averaging a double-double this season. Earlier in the season, McElway had a 16-piont, 10 rebound performance against Heartland Conference foe St. Edward's.
 
THE SERIES
Thursday's meeting will be the ninth meeting between the two programs and sixth in Laredo… The Dustdevils lead the all-time series 5-3… TAMIU has won the past two games by a combined score of 226-154… The Tigers last defeated the Dustdevils back on Feb. 4, 2006… The Dustdevils are 11-22 all-time against teams from the Red River Conference.
 
A TAMIU WIN WOULD…
Extend the Dustdevils win streak in the series to three… Improve their record to 4-2 at the TAMIU KCB… Bring the Dustdevils back to .500 on the season.
 
A TAMIU LOSS WOULD…
Hand the Dustdevils their first loss on of the series since Feb. 4, 2006… Third loss at home in the series… ­Hand the Dustdevils their fourth-straight loss for the first time since February 2015.
 
ABOUT ARLINGTON BAPTIST
Located in Arlington, Texas with an enrollment of 220 students, Arlington Baptist are 0-7 with four of those losses coming by 20 points or more. The Patriots are coached by Joshua Moody.
 
Markel Semein (14.4 ppg, 4.5 rpg) is the leading scorer for the Patriots while shooting 42% from the field and 46% from 3-point range. Eric Wood (11.3 ppg) does most of his damage from beyond the arc with 17 of his 25 shots made coming from 3-point range. Kel Wallace (7.9 ppg, 8.0 rpg) is the top post player for the Patriots as 25 of 48 rebounds have been on the offensive glass.  
 
THE SERIES
The Dustdevils lead the series 5-0 with all five wins coming in Laredo… TAMIU won the first career meeting 97-46 on Dec. 3, 2011… The Dustdevils have outscored Arlington Baptist 495-305 in the series including a 95-64 victory last year.
 
A TAMIU WIN WOULD…
Be the second win over Arlington Baptist this calendar year… Make the series 6-0 in favor of the Dustdevils… Improve them to 10-0 against schools from the Association of Christian College Athletics.
 
A TAIMU LOSS WOULD…
Be the first loss in the series for the Dustdevils.
 
THIS DAY IN DUSTDEVIL MEN'S BASKETBALL HISTORY…
The Dustdevils have never played a game on Nov. 30 while they are 1-2 on Dec. 1… TAMIU defeated UT Permian Basin on Dec. 1, 2003 86-64 in Laredo.
 
UP NEXT
The Dustdevils will host Southwestern Adventist on Sunday, Dec. 3, at 3 p.m. The first 100 fans will receive free food from Popeyes. The game will be broadcast on the Heartland Conference Digital Network.