CHADRON, Neb. – Texas A&M International men's basketball opened their 2021-22 season on the road against Chadron State. For the third time in four tries, it was the Dustdevils (1-0, 0-0 LSC) coming out victorious, defeating the Eagles (0-1, 0-0 RMAC) 82-73.
 
In the first half, it was TAMIU holding the edge, taking a 37-31 lead into the locker room after 20 minutes of play.
 
The Dustdevils began the game with a 1-0 lead after a successful free throw off an administrative technical called on Chadron State prior to the opening tip.
 
After the tip, TAMIU countered a quick three by the Eagles with a 10-0 run to take an 11-3 lead less than three minutes in. The Dustdevils held the lead until 8:38 when Chadron State took a 19-17 lead after a 16-6 run of its own.
 
The Eagles lead grew to as many as six, 29-23 with 6:06 remaining in the half, before TAMIU went on a 14-2 run over that remaining time to take the halftime lead.
 
The Dustdevils shot 50% in the first half (13-26) and a solid 8-10 from the foul line. Three-point shooting was just 3-9 in the half. Chadron State shot 44% in the first 20 minutes and 50% (5-10) from three despite trailing.
 
In the second half, the Eagles opened the first 4:28 on a 10-3 run to regain the lead at 41-40. However, a 10-3 TAMIU run followed to regain a six-point lead of 50-44.
 
With 11:06 remaining, the score sat at 52-48 in favor of the Dustdevils, who then over the five minutes opened up a double-digit lead at 65-54 with 5:36 remaining on a three by junior Jermaine Drewey.
 
With 3:28 remaining, TAMIU had opened up a 15-point lead at 70-55, but it was far from over as the Eagles stormed back with a 10-0 run to cut the lead to just 70-65 with 1:42 remaining.
 
Over the final 1:42, the Dustdevils did extremely well when playing the free-throw game with Chadron State fouling to end the game with the nine-point victory.
 
Drewey was the leading scorer on the night for TAMIU, netting 21 points on 7-10 shooting from the floor and 5-6 from three. He also added four rebounds, five assists, two steals and a block.
 
Sophomore Tyrese Davis was a spark off the bench, scoring 17 points on 5-6 shooting and 7-11 on free throws, alongside four rebounds and four blocks.
 
Senior Greg Bowie II and freshman Journee Phillips also entered double figures with 10 points each.
 
After a successful opening night, the Dustdevils turn the page and hit the floor again tomorrow night. Awaiting TAMIU is South Dakota Mines who defeated Lone Star Conference member Texas A&M-Kingsville 84-72. Tip-off from Rapid City, S.D. is scheduled for 7 p.m. MST/8 p.m. CST.