IRVING, Texas - The Southwestern University men's basketball team used a hot start in the first half to build a double-digit lead and knock off the Dallas Crusader, 95-88, on Sunday afternoon at the Maher Center.
Southwestern shot 31 of 63 (49%) from the field including 12 of 25 (48%) from behind the arc and 21 of 30 (70%) from the charity stripe. Dallas went 30 of 70 (43%) from the field including 10 of 27 (37%) from deep and 18 of 24 (75%) at the line.
Of their 31 makes, the Pirates had 23 assists while only turning it over 13 times. Southwestern outrebounded Dallas 40-35 while getting 26 points from the bench.
The Pirates connected on seven 3-pointers in the first six minutes including a trio of long range shots from sophomore Brandon Alexander for a 22-10 lead early on. Southwestern continued the 3-point barrage as Alexander hit his fourth along with two more three points from junior Stan Kannegieter and sophomore Luke Hicks to move ahead 34-15.
As Southwestern began to cool off, Dallas chipped away to try and get back into the contest, cutting the deficit to 12. However, layups from Hicks, sophomore Kyle Howard, and sophomore Ryan Wheeler pushed the lead back up to 17 with six to play in the half.
The Pirates got their lead as high as 21, but Dallas closed the quarter on an 8-1 run to cut it down to 49-35 at the break.
In the second half, Southwestern got their lead over 20 again and led by as many as 22; however, Dallas would not go down easily, again chipping away at the deficit and trying to make a run to get back into the contest.
Midway through the second half, the Crusaders got it down to 10, but the Pirates composed themselves out of a timeout and ran the lead back out to 18 at 82-64 with 6:50 to play.
Thanks in part to numerous fouls in the final minutes, Dallas was able to get within single digits for the first time since early in the first half, but the Pirates made free throws in the waining minute and closed the game out for their fourth SCAC win, all coming on the road.
Alexander turned in a terrific game, finishing with 26 including 8 of 11 from the field and six 3-pointers. He also had nine rebounds and two steals Howard added 15 to go with seven assists, five rebounds, and two steals while Hicks scored 12 points to go with 10 boards and four assists.
Kannegieter scored 12 off the bench on a perfect 3 of 3 shooting while Wheeler poured in 10 with five rebounds and four assists.
Dallas was led by Darrius Colvin with 27 points and five assists while Spencer Levi added 17 points and 14 rebounds to go with four assists and two blocks.
Southwestern moves to 8-9 overall and 4-2 in SCAC play. They return home next weekend and will face familiar foes from this weekend, beginning on Friday with a 5:30 PM tip-off against Colorado College.
