4EDMOND, Oklahoma (February 8, 2018) – Jeremy Wright scored five of his career-high tying 25 points in overtime as Texas A&M International University men's basketball extended their win streak to three games in a 72-70 victory over Oklahoma Christian in Edmond, Okla. on Thursday night at the Eagles' Nest. The Dustdevils improve to 10-13 overall and 3-8 in Heartland Conference play while OC falls to 8-14 (4-6).
 
Wright became the first Dustdevil to score 20 or more points in two different games this season going 10-of-21 from the field and 2-of-6 from 3-point range. The senior also dished out a team-high five assists along with five steals. Brendan Ortiz had a career-high night as well with 17 points including 5-of-8 from three. Kamari Robinson was the third and final Dustdevil in double figures with 14 while pulling down seven rebounds. 
 
Shea Garland scored the first four points of the game for the Dustdevils as they trailed 9-6 heading into the first media timeout. Ortiz hit TAMU's first 3-pointer of the game following an OC turnover to tie the game at 9-all at 15:21. The Eagles would respond with a 9-1 run over the next three minutes giving them a 18-10 lead.
 
Ortiz's second three of the first half with just over 12 minutes remaining sparked a 5-0 run by the Dustdevils to get them within two, 18-16. The Eagles' Jordan Box answered with a three of his own to push the lead back to five.
 
It continued to rain 3-pointers as Robinson got in on the act making his first three of the evening at 9:56 before Box hit another deep ball a minute later. Garland scored on a layup on the following position before a Danny Spinuzza's three tied the game at 24-24 at 7:14.
 
Xabier Gomez went 1-of-2 from the free-throw line giving the Dustdevils a 25-24 lead that was short lived as Elijah Strickland once again made them pay from beyond the arc. A Gomez 3-pointer and layup from Robinson had TAMIU within one, 31-30, heading into the final two minutes of the first half but they were unable to get any closer as OC lead 33-30 at the break.
 
Wright scored the first six points for the Dustdevils in the second half as they took a 36-35 lead just to see Strickland hit another three on the following possession. Neither team would make a basket for the next five minutes before Wright's jumper at 13:02 tied the game at 39-39.
 
The OC lead was four, 47-43, before Robinson made it a two-point game with a put back off an offensive rebound at 8:30. Just a minute later following an OC turnover, Wright would nail a three giving the Dustdevils a one-point lead, 50-49.
 
The teams traded baskets over the next two minutes before Ortiz nailed another 3-pointer giving the Dustdevils their largest lead of the game, 55-51, with 4:45 remaining. OC would roll off a 4-0 run following the final media timeout to tie it at 55-55 before Wright got past his defender for a layup.
 
The Eagles continued to fight back to tie the game on their next possession but they had not answer for Ortiz as he nailed a three with just over a minute remaining for a 60-57 lead for TAMIU. The lead was four with 26 seconds remaining following a free-throw from Wright but OC would finish the game on a 4-1 including a layup in the final seconds from Miroslav Jaksic to send the game to overtime, 62-62.
 
The Eagles jumped out to a 65-62 in the first 30 seconds of overtime on a 3-point play by Miroslav Jasksiv but Wright countered on the next possession getting an opportunity for a 3-point play of his own as he made a contested layuip. His free-throw attempt was no good but Damon Leach was there to pull down the offensive rebound. Ortiz made the Eagles pay as he made his fifth and final three of the evening with the shot clock winding down to give TAMIU a 67-65 lead.
 
The game was tied at 67-all after a pair of free throws for Strickland with just over a minute remaining. Both teams missed jumpers on their next possession before Wright gave the Dustdveils a 70-67 lead on a three from the left side with 16 seconds remaining. Ortiz would go 2-of-2 from the charity stripe in the final seconds as the Dustdevils pushed their win streak to three defeating OC 72-20.
 
The Dustdevils look to end their win streak to four on Saturday, Feb. 10, against Newman in Wichita, Kan. Live stats and video will be available.
 
PLAYER NOTES
Jeremy Wright
Wright continues his strong play as the senior set career-highs in points, field goals and field goal attempts. His 25 points tied a previous career-high set back on Jan. 13 against Newman. He also recorded five or more steals for the second time this season bringing his season total to 55 which is the fourth-most in program history. He has had five or more assists in five straight games, one shy of his career best.
 
Brendan Ortiz
Ortiz had one of his most efficient games of his career on Thursday with a career-high 17 points on 5-of-9 shooting from the field. All five of his makes came from beyond the arc tying a career-high. He is also extended his consecutive free throw streak to 11 with his two makes in the final seconds.
 
Damon Leach
The Pocatello, Idaho product was held scoreless for the first time since Dec. 19, 2017 but that didn't stop him from being productive as he pulled down a career-high eight rebounds. He has now lead the team in rebounding in consecutive games for the first time in his career.