IRVING, Texas – The Southwestern men’s basketball team escaped unscathed from their opening season match-up with the University of Dallas on Sunday winning 48-46 on late free throws.

The first half was an even affair with two ties and seven lead changes. Southwestern took the largest lead of the half, six points, with 2:38 remaining on a jumper by junior Jonathan Brown. The Crusaders pulled within four with under a minute to play on a pair of free throws by Norton and the half would end with a four point SU lead 22-18.

At the start of the second half the Pirates came out hot, pushing their lead to 10 on a quick three pointer by senior Zach Bergstrom and then Brown followed with another jumper.

SU maintained their lead through the first five minutes, 35-25, but hit a cold streak as the Crusaders went on a 15-0 run to go up by five with just under eight minutes remaining in the game. Junior Nick Caputo broke UD’s run with a jumper to cut the lead to three.

Bergstrom’s three-pointer with 3:41 to play brought the tie even for the third time in the game 40-40 and set up the thrilling finish.

A jumper and pair of free throws gave the University of Dallas a brief four point lead, but a three pointer by senior Anthony Cox and set of free throws by Bergstrom gave SU the lead once again.

Pritchard’s steal and layup put UD up by one, 46-45 with 1:30 remaining but Bergstrom was fouled on a rebound and drained his free throws to give Southwestern the lead for the final time with 27 seconds left. Cox was fouled after a turnover by Norton and his free throw with nine seconds left sealed the victory for the Pirates.

Caputo led the way in points and rebounds with 16 and nine off the bench for the Pirates. Cox chipped in 10 points while Bergstrom and Brown had nine points each.

Southwestern shot 34.8% from the floor and 37.5% from beyond the arc while holding the Crusaders to 29.4% from the floor and 13.3% from three-point range.

The 1-0 Pirates will remain on the road and head to Chicago, Illinois for the University of Chicago Tournament. They face former SCAC opponent Rose-Hulman on November 21st at 8:00 pm.