WICHITA, Kansas (February 10, 2018) – Texas A&M International University men's basketball had Heartland Conference leaders Newman on the ropes but were unable to make shots down the stretch as they lost 49-46 on Saturday afternoon ending a three- game winning streak. The Dustdevils defense frustrated the Jets all game but couldn't overcome going without a basket in the last 9:15 of regulation in the setback.
 
Jeremy Wright was one of three Dustdevils in double figures with a team-high 13 points going 3-of-6 form the field and 6-of-7 from the free throw line. Kamari Robinson added 12 points and six rebounds with Xabier Gomez chipping in 10 points going 7-of-9 from the charity stripe. The Dusdevils (10-14, 3-9 HC) held the Jets (13-11, 9-4 HC) to 34.4% shoot while the two teams combined to shoot 51 free throws.
 
Gomez came out aggressive as the junior scored six of TAMIU's first eight points including a pair of free throw at 14:42 to make it a one-point game, 9-8. Following a steal by Brendan Ortiz, Wright hit his only three of the game giving the Dustdevils their first lead of the game at 11-9. The Jets would respond on the next possession with a three of their own from Ben Ayre.
 
Both teams struggled to hold onto the ball over the next two minutes combining for three turnovers before Robinson connected from beyond the arc at 10:42 giving TAMIU a 14-12 lead. A three from Ortiz two minutes later would push the lead to five, 17-12, but that would be as big as it would get as NU went on a 9-0 run to retake the lead.
 
Wright ended a scoring drought of more than of more than seven minutes with an old fashioned 3-point play getting the Dustdevils within one, 21-20, with under two minutes left in the first half. Robinson would come up big in the final seconds getting a steal before getting fouled and making both free throws as TAMIU went into halftime leading 22-21.
 
The Dustdevils opened the second half without a basket for the first five minutes before Robinson's dunk at 15:03 made it 25-24 in favor of the Jets. TAMIU took their first lead of the second half a minute and a half alter on a layup from Ortiz but the Jets retook the lead on following possession on a pair of free throws frim Ayre.
 
The teams traded baskets over the next three minutes before NU's Demetrious Walker stretched NU's' lead to four, 35-31, with a 3-pointer. Robinson had an answer the next time he touched the ball making his second three of the game to cut the lead to one.
 
The Dustdevils regained the lead, 39-38, with just under 10 minutes remaining following a Damon Leach layup and three from Ortiz. The Dustdevils responded to a 4-0 run from the Jets with straight points of their own to tie it at 42-all with 5:16 left in regulation. Neither team could make a shot over the next five minutes as their only points came from the free throw line.
 
NU took a 47-44 with 23 seconds left following two free throws from Ayre but Wright drew enough contact the next trip down the floor to warrant a trip to the charity stripe. The senior made both giving the Dustdevils a chance but they were unable to get the final shot to fall as they saw their three-game winning streak come to an end.
 
TAMIU returns home for their final home stand of the season when they host Arkansas-Fort Smith (Feb. 15) and Rogers State (Feb. 17) at the TAMIU Kinesiology and Convocation Building.
 
PLAYER NOTES
Jeremy Wright
With 13 points Wright has now scored in double-figures in six straight games, one short of his career high. He came up big at the free throw line going 6-of-7 marking the second time in his career that he has made more than six free throws in a game.
 
Kamari Robinson
Robinson continues to play well in place of the injured Dan Milota with another double-digit scoring game. He has now scored 10 or more points in a career-high six games. He also pulled down a team-high six rebounds.