Box Score

THE LEAD
The Dallas Baptist Men's Basketball Team's losing streak extended to three games with a 74-56 loss at Texas A&M-International on Monday in Laredo, Texas.  In a game dominated by the Dustdevils from the opening tip, DBU (10-8, 4-6) fell behind after a Montrice McKnight three pointer in the opening seconds and could never recover.  TAMIU (9-9, 4-6) led the Patriots for the entire 40 minutes and snapped a five game losing skid of their own.

After falling behind by as many as six points in the game's first six minutes, a Jordan Pratt layup pulled DBU to within one point with 13:37 to play in the first half.  That would be as close as DBU would come, as the Dustdevils went on a 12-2 run over the next two-and-a-half minutes to go up 19-8.  TAMIU would eventually take a 29-19 lead into the locker room at the intermission, holding the Patriots to their lowest point total in a half this season.

In the second half, DBU was unable to trim the deficit to single digits, as the Dustdevils went up by as many as 23 points with 11:55 remaining in the game.  Over the final 20 minutes, the Patriots would be outscored 45-37.

DBU struggled to find an answer for TAMIU's Vadal Faniel, who finished with a game-high 25 points and grabbed eight rebounds.  The Dustdevils' Anthony Alston also finished in double-figures, scoring 16 points, including a 12-for-15 night from the free-throw line.

The Patriots were led by Tim Simmons.  The junior transfer from North Platte College poured in 17 points and pulled down a team-best eight rebounds. 

DBU HEAD BASKETBALL, BLAKE FLICKNER – ON THE TEAM'S OFFENSIVE WOES
"Tonight was one of those nights that seemed like a lid was on the basket.  We couldn't find our rhythm, or really get in a good flow.  We've got to bounce back and respond better on Saturday at home."
 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
11 – DBU shot just 11 percent from the three-point arc in the first half (1-of-9).
17 – The Patriots were outscored in the paint by 17 points, 24-7.
20 – DBU turned the ball over 20 times compared to TAMIU's seven.
 
UP NEXT FOR THE PATRIOTS
DBU returns home following a four game road trip to face Lubbock Christian at the Burg Center on Saturday.  Tip-off is scheduled for 2:00 pm.  The Patriots fell to LCU on January 5 in Lubbock, 86-78.