Southwestern shot 53.8% from the floor and 46.2% from three point range to win their third straight SCAC conference game, defeating the University of Dallas 87-77 in Irving on Friday night.

Eight players scored in the first half for the Pirates as Southwestern posted a five point lead at halftime, 37-32. SU shot 50% from the floor in the opening frame while Dallas was slightly better at 57.7% on 15-26.

Zach Whitlock, Chris Molina and Ben Stiver all had six points each to lead SU in the half. 

Southwestern stayed at an arm's length at the start of the second half and then pushed their lead to ten after five points in less than a minute from Chris Lee with 14 minutes remaining.

Dallas hung around and got as close as three points three times through the middle of the second half. Ryan Odgen's three with four minutes remaining was a dagger to the Crusaders, pushing the lead back to seven. Southwestern was able to close out the game from the free throw line, making 10 of 12 in the final 3:15 to seal the win.

Ogden led all scorers with 23 points while Lee added in 19 points. Whitlock also posted double digits in the win with 10 points and was the second leading rebounder with six. Dallas was led by Aaron Wyatt with 17 points.

Dallas shot 55.2% from the field but managed just 56.2% from the charity stripe in the loss.

Southwestern, now 9-6 on the year and 4-2 in the SCAC, moves into a tie for second place in the conference with Centenary. Dallas falls to 10-6 overall and 1-5 in conference action. SU heads north to face Austin College in Sherman on Saturday evening. Tipoff is scheduled for 6 p.m.