THE RUNDOWN
A second-half comeback by DBU (13-12, 8-9 LSC) came up short to Texas A&M International (14-11, 7-10 LSC) on Thursday night at the Burg Center. Cam Kahn set season-highs in scoring and steals with 23 points and 3 takeaways.
 
Back-and-forth play began Thursday's affair. Through the first 13 minutes of the half, TAMIU controlled the score but never extended its lead beyond 2 possessions. However, the DBU offense went cold, failing to hit a field goal for the last 6:53, and the Patriots allowed the Dustdevils to finish the half on a 16-5 run.
 
Trailing 40-28, Carson Hughes quickly ended DBU's shooting drought with a layup to start the second half. TAMIU stretched its advantage to as many as 17 with 17:07 remaining, and the Patriots chipped away at the deficit to tie the game at 55 just inside the 7-minute mark. The Dustdevils pieced together a short, 8-2 run to regain a 6-point lead. Kahn hit a critical three-pointer to bring the Patriots within three of TAMIU and followed it up with a pair of free throws to bring DBU within one. 
 
Thanks to another rebound from the junior guard, the Patriots had the ball for the last possession with 19.3 seconds on the clock. DBU managed to put up four field goals, but none found the net, as the Dustdevils snuck away with their second win over the Patriots this season.
 
THREE THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW
- Despite the loss, DBU retains the 8th seed in the upcoming Lone Star Conference Tournament.
- After starting the season 4-0 in games decided by 5 points or less, DBU has gone 1-6 in the last 7 games of the same kind.
- Cam Kahn (23 points, 8 rebounds) and Ricky Lujan (10 points, 5 assists) have now each scored at least 10 points in 7 consecutive games.
 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
5 - Ta'Jay Dunlap and Ricky Lujan each dished 5 assists.
35 - The Patriots outrebound the Dustdevils, 35-28.
35 - DBU's defense held TAMIU to 35% shooting from the field in the second half.
 
BLAKE FLICKNER ON THE FACTORS LEADING TO THE LOSS
"I'm glad that we responded with a little bit more punch, a little bit more fight in the second half. Unfortunately, we were in a hole because we didn't come out that way [in the first half]—with enough fight. They were killing us with forcing turnovers, getting us in transition, driving us in the first half. That got us in a big hole. We responded, got back, gave ourselves a chance down the stretch, but still…too many mistakes."
 
UP NEXT
DBU will host another foe from South Texas on Saturday in Texas A&M–Kingsville. Game time is scheduled for 2:00 pm at the Burg. 
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