Men's Basketball
DBU used two twenty minute halves and a five-minute overtime to finish off the Dustdevils from Texas A&M International and pick up their seventh win of the season. With the 76-69 victory, the Patriots improved to 7-12, while the Dustdevils fell to 10-11.
The first half was a back and forth defensive battle with both teams struggling from the field. The Patriots took a 20-18 lead with five minutes to play in the first half and locked down their defense for the remainder of the period. DBU forced the Dustdevils to commit two turnovers in the final five minutes, which led to points for the Patriots and gave them a 28-22 lead at the break.
DBU came out shooting lights out to start the second half, hitting seven of their first nine shots, including four three-pointers. The Patriots hot shooting allowed them to push their lead to 10 points with 12 minutes to play in the game.
The Dustdevils, who played stubborn all night, refused to let DBU run away with the game and made a 13-4 run to cut the lead to 50-49, with eight minutes to play. The final eight minutes saw both teams slugging it out, hitting shot after shot. With three minutes to play in regulation, the Dustdevils held a three-point lead, but a game changing dunk by Sophomore Brandon Wash turn the momentum back over to the Patriots.
DBU took the momentum from the dunk and grabbed a two-point lead with eight seconds to play, but a foul call on the Patriots gave TAMIU a chance to tie the game with free throws. Angel Encinas stepped up and hit both free throws to tie the game and send it into overtime.
The Patriots came firing on all cylinders to start the extra period and ran away with the game by hitting key shots and playing shutdown defense. DBU outscored the Dustdevils 13-9 in overtime, including hitting six of eight free throws.
Head Coach Blake Flickner said, "That's the kind of game that makes college basketball so much fun to be a part of. You had a little bit of everything: hustle plays, 3's, fast break baskets and monster dunks, overtime, and we almost ended the game on a 90 foot shot. Both teams were playing hard and competing at a high level. It was a significant improvement from the first time we played TAMIU. That's what's fun to see. Our guys keep improving and taking strides forward."
Leading the Patriots to victory was Wash, who scored 19 points, pulled down 11 boards, and dished out three assist. Junior Nick Michels continued his strong play with 18 points and seven rebounds, while Junior Manny Montano brought a spark off the bench with 12 points and three rebounds.
DBU will look for two wins in a row when they travel to Goodwell, Oklahoma, on February 3, to take on Oklahoma Panhandle State University in a Heartland Conference match up.
