FORT SMITH, Ark. - Texas A&M International men's basketball (2-3, 0-1 LSC) dropped the Lone Star Conference opener 74-63 to UAFS (4-0, 1-0 LSC) on Thursday.

Senior Dominic Jackson led the Dustdevils with a career-high 18 points as well as four rebounds and a steal. Junior Ryan Birt logged 14 points with four steals, two rebounds and an assist. Sophomore Tom Higgins finished two rebounds shy of a double-double with 13 points and eight rebounds to go along with two assists and a steal.

The game began close with the two teams keeping the score with one or two possessions midway through the half. However, the Lions jumped out to their first double-digit lead at 21-11 with just under eight minutes left in the period. TAMIU battled to back to trim the deficit to four points at 23-19 with four minutes left in the half. UAFS pushed back out to take a 32-23 lead into the intermission.

The Lions came out the break on fire as they ran out on a 12-2 run to go up 44-25, their largest lead of the game, in the first six minutes of the half. The Dustdevils tried to find their footing and managed to cut the lead to 50-38 halfway through the period. UAFS answered back by jumping back out to a 58-42 lead less than three minutes later. TAMIU refused to die though as they kept grinding and got the deficit within single digits at 68-59 with under a minute left. Unfortunately, that would be as close as they would get as the Lions took the 74-63 victory.

The Dustdevils will continue the opening conference road trip on Saturday, Nov. 23 in Oklahoma City, Okla. against Oklahoma Christian.