LAREDO, Texas - Texas A&M International men's basketball (1-2) took down Southwestern Adventist (5-3) in a 67-55 decision Tuesday afternoon. This was Head Coach Joel Taylor's first win as head coach.

Brent Finn led the Dustdevils with a 21-point game, including six three-pointers, as well as three rebounds, three assists, two steals and a block. Xabier Gomez put up 13 points with five rebounds, five assists and four steals. Cedric Rembert contributed 10 points, five rebounds, two assists and a steal. Damon Leach added eight points, six rebounds and a steal.

Never trailing in the game, TAMIU was aggressive offensively and pushed out to a double-digit lead early in the opening half with a 12-2 lead just over five minutes in. They managed to go up by their largest lead of the game at 34-20 with just over two minutes left in the half. The Dustdevils eventually took a 34-22 lead into the intermission.

In the second half, the Knights refused to go down without a fight as they were able to cut the lead to a single possession at 42-39 with 12:57 left. However, TAMIU responded and quickly jumped back out to a 12-point lead two minutes later with a 9-0 run. SWAU tried mount another comeback, but only came within four at 51-47 with 6:10 left to play. Once again, the Dustdevils counterpunched with a 6-0 run, taking a 57-47 lead. They eventually took the victory 67-55.

TAMIU will be back in action on Friday, Nov. 16 as they host the 2018 Courtyard Marriott Classic and face off against Arlington Baptist in the second game of the tournament at 7 p.m.