Box Score

THE LEAD
The Dallas Baptist Men's Basketball Team opened their 2014-2015 season with a 92-89 loss to Colorado Mesa University at the Heartland Conference vs. Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Tip-Off on Friday in Austin, Texas.   The Patriots were led by a strong shooting performance from redshirt sophomore, Myles Johnson, who scored a team-high 21 points, but DBU was unable to control the inside presence of the Mavericks 6'10" center, Ryan Stephan, who erupted for 35 points in the season opener.
 
Holding onto a 44-43 lead at the half, the Patriots could not overcome Colorado Mesa's shooting effort down the stretch, as the Mavericks shot 68 percent from the floor in the final 20 minutes.  Much of the damage was done on the inside, as Colorado Mesa scored 32 of their 49 points from inside the paint in the second half. 
 
The Patriots extended their lead to as many as five in the second half after a pair of free throws from Tim Simmons at the 15:54 mark, before the Mavericks would tie the game at 56 just 30 seconds later on a three-pointer from Jerry Duckworth. 
 
In a back-and-forth affair over the next couple of minutes, CMU took the lead for good when Stephan delivered a trey from beyond the arc with 11:48 remaining in the game.  The Mavericks would extend their lead to as many as 10 points after going on a 22-13 run over the next nine-and-a-half minutes. 
 
Trailing 88-78 with 2:09 left in the second half, the Patriots made one last charge at CMU.  An 11-4 run over the next two minutes, capped off by a Franklin Uzonwanne layup with 16 seconds remaining brought DBU to within three points of the Mavericks. 
 
Following a pair of missed free throws by Colorado Mesa's Michael Melillo, DBU played for the final shot and the tie.  A missed three-point attempt though by Jonathan Perry with one second remaining left the Patriots just short in their valiant comeback down the stretch.
 
DBU HEAD COACH – BLAKE FLICKNER
"Mesa played very well tonight.  Stephan is a very special player and they shot the ball extremely well.  We've got to keep working to improve defensively.  At times we moved the ball well and had some bright spots.  Myles shot the ball well and Amari Bryant and Perry were also big contributors off the bench."
 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
29 - Combined points off the bench for Amari Bryant (15) and Jonathan Perry (14).
21 - DBU scored 21 points off turnovers compared to CMU's 11.
60% - Colorado Mesa shot 60% from the field in the game compared to DBU's 45.6%.
65% - The Mavericks shot 65% (13-for-20) from three-point range.
 
UP NEXT FOR THE PATRIOTS
The Patriots are back on the hardwood on Saturday afternoon when they face Colorado Christian University.  Tip-off is scheduled for 2:00 pm.