THE RUNDOWN
DBU(1-0) earned its first win on Friday, upsetting No. 14 Colorado Mesa (0-1), 89-84. Deng Dut scored a game-high 18 points and his free throw in the last four seconds of the game secured a DBU victory in the season opener. 

The Patriots started the first half strong, using the game's first seven minutes to create a 14-point lead, 22-8.  With a 63.3% field goal percentage, DBU quickly found its rhythm. Pulling away early on, Deng Dut and Austin Garner brought out most of the offensive power with nine points each as the Patriots closed out the half with a 17-point advantage.

CMU rallied to close the gap in the second half by the 16-minute mark, pulling to within eight, 51-43. The Patriots responded midway through the second half, as DBU pulled away with a 15-point lead. The Mavericks chipped away at the deficit, bringing the game to a two-point difference at the 13 second mark. DBU answered with three free throws, allowing them to sneak away with a win in the season opener.

THREE THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW
- DBU led for over 98% of the game. 
- The Patriots scored 48 points in the paint opposite the Mavericks' 34.
- Cameron Kahn had an eye for the ball, garnering seven rebounds and two steals.
 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
5 - DBU now owns a 5-4 lead over CMU in the all-time sereis and are 3-3 at a neutral site. 
10- Deng Dut, Ta'Jay Dunlap, Trevor Frank, Ricky Lujan, and Cameron Kahn scored in double-digits.
78 - DBU posted a 78.3% free throw percentage. 

BLAKE FLICKNER ON THE PATRIOTS' FIGHT
"It's unfortunate that the first game of the year is such an important game, but we opened with one of the best teams in the region tonight. I'm so proud of the fight and energy we displayed. Top to bottom, we got a lot of big contributions. Eleven guys played, and all made big plays. We were able to jump on them early, but like the championship team they are, they responded with a ferocious second half. But the guys stepped up and made some huge plays down the stretch. Justin's charge in the final minutes was perhaps a game-winner. Big rebounds, big free throws, and big contributions across the board." 
 
UP NEXT
The Patriots stay in Austin, TX, to face Colorado Christian in a 2:00 pm showdown on Saturday.

 

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