WICHITA, Kansas (February 25, 2017) - The Texas A&M International University Men's Basketball team closed out the 2016-17 regular season on Saturday. TAMIU matched up with Newman University. The Dustdevils picked up a 100-95 overtime win, finishing in a tie for first place overall and Co-Heartland Conference Champions with a record of 20-9 overall (13-5 Heartland Conference). 

First Half:
The Dustdevils used an early lead to pull ahead in the first 20 minutes of action on Saturday. TAMIU jumped out to a 13 point advantage in at the 10 minute mark of the first half. TAMIU would push the lead to 16 before the halftime buzzer sounded. After 20 minutes of action, TAMIU led 43-27. 

Jordan VanDeKop led the Dustdevils offensively, putting up ten first half points. Denzel Bellot and Bunja Yaboe finished with three rebounds each. 

Second Half:
Despite the Dustdevils ability to controlplay for nearly 16 minutes into the second half, the Jets came roaring back to tie the game in the final seconds of regulation. In the final three minutes, Newman erased an 11 point deficit, tying the game at 84 with five seconds remaining. 

Bellot led the Dustdevils with 14 second-half points. Kenny Hatch grabbed two steals in the final 20 minutes of regulation play. 

Overtime:
TAMIU would get back on track after a brief intermission following the end of regulation play. The Dustdevils used the final five minutes to outscore the Jets 16-11, taking a 100-95 win. 

Bellot picked up six points in the overtime period. 

HEARTLAND CONFERENCE CO-CHAMPIONS:
The win put TAMIU in a three-way Co-Conference Champion situation. The Dustdevils finish with Dallas Baptist and Arkansas Fort Smith as the Champions. The Conference title is the fifth title in program history. 

Up Next:
In the coming days, seeding will be announced for the 2016-17 Heartland Conference Men's Basketball Tournament. The Dustdevils will undoubtedley be making the trip, competing in Tulsa, Oklahoma March 2-5, 2017. 

Stay Tuned:
The Dustdevils can be followed all season long on GoDustdevils.com, and on social media. Follow @TAMIUAthletics on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat for exclusive content.