LAREDO, Texas – Texas A&M International men's basketball was unable to hold off UAFS in a defensive battle, falling to the Lions 46-42 on Saturday.

Scoring was limited on both ends throughout the game, as the score read 10-10 over the first 11:53 of the opening half.

Late first half, UAFS (8-7, 4-5 LSC) would open a 21-16 lead, but TAMIU would trim the deficit to just 23-22 heading into halftime.

Out of the break, the Dustdevils (9-7, 2-6 LSC) would use the first 7:30 of the second half to grow a 33-30 lead and still led by three on multiple occasions throughout the half.

However, it was the Lions who over the final 7:07 would hold TAMIU to just one field goal and use a 10-3 run during that stretch to seal the victory.

For the game, TAMIU shot 33.3% (16-for-48) from the floor but were held to 0-for-16 from three. However, the Dustdevils did make 10 of 13 free throws.

On the other side, UAFS shot 43.6% (17-for-39) from the field, 2-for-12 (16.7%) from three and made 10 of 16 from the charity stripe.

Senior Jermaine Drewey led the way offensively for TAMIU with 12 points and a pair of rebounds.

Junior Mike Rivera was the only other Dustdevil in double figures, scoring 10 points. Junior John Achebe had six point, six rebounds and three steals, while sophomore Tiras Morton also added six points with a team best seven rebounds.

TAMIU stays home for another week, that begins on Thursday, Jan. 12 when it hosts UT Tyler for an 8 p.m. tip in the KCB.