If you weren't at the University of Dallas Men's Basketball season opener versus Southwestern University on Monday night, you missed an instant classic.
Led by the sharpshooting freshman guard Braeton Hightower (Sperry, Okla./Owasso H.S.), whom accounted for 30 points, the Crusaders successfully navigated through a 19 point deficit midway through the game, to a two point victory, 74-72.
After going scoreless for the first four minutes of the game, the Crusaders scored their first points of the 2010-11 season from a 3-pointer by Hightower, whom would net another trifecta only minutes later.
Senior forward Noah Pettit (Fairfax, Calif./Sir Francis Drake) quickly made his presence felt after subbing into the game, scoring the first time he touched the ball. Pettit, who was limited by foul trouble, scored 14 points in only 15 minutes, while pulling down four rebounds.
Junior guard Barrett Brown (Phoenix, Ariz./Mountain Pointe H.S.) also provided an early spark for the Crusaders offensively, hitting a 3-pointer to cut the Pirates lead to 13-11. After Brown's 3-pointer, the Pirates began to take control of the game, building a 39-28 advantage by halftime.
The second half began even worse for Dallas, as the Pirates went on a seven point run to build their lead to 18, at 46-28. Brown scored the Crusaders' first points of the half by completing a 3-point play.
However, Southwestern went on another offensive run growing their lead to 50-34. The Pirates hit a 3-pointer to grow their lead to 19, prompting University of Dallas head coach Jarred Samples to call a timeout. At this point, it really looked like the Crusaders would begin their season with a deflating loss at home to open the season. However, Coach Samples and his team had different plans.
Pettit began the Crusaders' comeback from the free throw line. While the Crusaders struggled to score, Pettit repeatedly took the ball strong to the rim and was rewarded with trips to the foul line. The guard/forward hybrid broke several scoreless trips for both teams by driving hard to the basket once again. Pettit sunk his shot and then the free throw, cutting the Crusaders' deficit to 13, at 53-40.
With slightly over ten minutes to play, Hightower took the offense, and the game, into his own hands. Hightower hit a 3-pointer to cut the Pirates lead to 57-45, prompting the visitors to call a timeout. After a small run from the Crusaders, followed by a run by the Pirates, Southwestern held a 13 point lead. Hightower then hit a three to once again cut the Crusaders' deficit to 10 points.
In Dallas' next possession, Brown fortuitously missed the second of his two free throw attempts. Hightower received the ball and hit another 3-pointer. After making two free throws, Dallas trailed by only four points. Dallas stole the ball from Southwestern on the next possession and found Hightower beyond the 3-point line. Hightower found the back of the net once again, putting Dallas within a point of Southwestern.
Two possessions later, Hightower shot the ball from nearly three feet beyond the 3-point arc. The raucous crowd roared as the ball hit the back of the net. Dallas had their first lead at 70-69. Southwestern scored on their next possession, but Dallas responded with a basket, taking a 72-71 lead. The Crusaders added two free throws, but fouled Southwestern on their next possession. The Pirates converted one of the free throws to make the score 74-72. Dallas gave Southwestern one more opportunity to score, but missed a buzzer beater shot and the Crusaders walked away with a victory. The packed house at the Maher Athletic Center celebrated as Dallas came back from a 19-point deficit to earn their first win of the season.
After the game Coach Samples spoke of the packed house for the men's first game of the season. "It was a great environment," said Samples. "What an environment for a college basketball game."
