Box Score

The Dallas Baptist Patriot Basketball Team won their Heartland Conference Tournament opener Thursday evening in San Antonio, Texas. The Patriots (18-10) defeated Texas A&M International (12-15), 96-87, and advance to the second round where they will face the University of the Incarnate Word.

DBU held the Dustdevils scoreless for the first four minutes of the game and quickly opened an 11-0 lead after Bryan Baumann found teammate Eddie Gloviak open for a layup at the 16:26 mark. Baumann's three-point play less than a minute later gave the Patriots a 14-2 lead.

TAMIU rallied and managed to cut the lead DBU lead to three after Gary Matthews connected on his three-pointer, but the Patriots quickly responded with back-to-back three-pointers by Armie Lewis to push the lead back to nine, 22-13.

The Dustdevils slowly chipped away at the Patriot lead for the remaining ten minutes and pulled to within four, 45-41, at halftime.

Lewis continued his hot shooting after the break, as he connected on his fourth three-pointer of the game on the Patriots' opening possession. The sophomore guard then found Jared Whitmire open for a three with 14:23 remaining, giving the Patriots a 61-51 lead. Baumann's layup with 5:41 left in the game gave DBU a 15-point lead, their biggest of the night.

TAMIU's Chris Swan threw down a dunk with two minutes remaining to cut the DBU lead to seven, but that's as close as the Dustdevils would get. Baumann capped off the game with four free throws to secure the 96-87 win.

The Patriots never trailed in the game, connected on nine three-pointers, and shot an impressive 91 percent from the free throw line.

Braxton Adamson led the Patriots with 18 points, while Jordan McGowen followed closely behind with 17 points and eight rebounds. Lewis ended up with 15 points after connecting on a season-high, five three-pointers. Baumann and Gloviak chipped in 14 and 12, respectively.

The Patriots will face the University of the Incarnate Word tomorrow, March 4, at 5:00 p.m. The winner will play in the Heartland Conference Tournament Championship Game on Saturday afternoon for an opportunity to advance to the NCAA Tournament.