LAREDO, Texas - Texas A&M International men's basketball (2-1) took care of business against Arlington Baptist (0-4) in their first game of the Courtyard Marriott Classic on Friday.

Senior Caleb Highley paced the Dustdevils with a 20 point game, including six rebounds, four assists, two blocks and a steal. Sophomore Tom Higgins posted 13 points, five rebounds, an assist and a steal. Freshman Darian Gibson contributed 12 points with a team-high seven rebounds and a steal.

TAMIU started slow as they fell behind 19-8 early in the first half. They kept grinding and managed to trim the deficit to a single possession at 26-23 with just under eight minutes left in the half. With under two minutes left in the period, the Dustdevils took their first lead at 33-31, and took a 36-34 advantage into the intermission.

The TAMIU defense came alive in the second half, holding the Patriots to only 25 points in the period. They began to run away with just over seven minutes left as they took their first double-digit lead at 60-49. The Dustdevils largest lead of the game came at 70-53 with just under three minutes left. They eventually took the victory 72-59.

TAMIU will close out the Courtyard Marriott Classic on Saturday against Southern Nazarene at 7 p.m.