GEORGETOWN, TEXAS - For the second time this season, the University of Dallas men's basketball team (2-6) has defeaten the Southwestern University Tigers. Trailing for nearly 22 minutes straight, and deep into the second half, the Crusaders were able to overcome a 12 point deficit, en route to a 78-74 overtime victory.
The starting five for head coach Jarred Samples' Dallas squad included freshman guard Braeton Hightower (Sperry, Okla./Owasso H.S.), sophomore guard Drew Assinesi (Pasadena, Calif./La Salle H.S.), senior forward/guard Noah Pettit (Fairfax, Calif./Sir Francis Drake), junior guard Barrett Brown (Phoenix, Ariz./Mountain Pointe H.S.), and sophomore guard Matt Kewell (Coto de Caza, Calif./JSerra Catholic H.S.).
Brown had a game-high 24 points on 7-of-19 shooting from the field. He went 4-of-12 from three-point land, and 6-of-8 from the free throw line. Brown tied the game, 64 all, sinking a three-pointer with 1:43 remaining in regulation. In the overtime period, he put the game on ice, hitting 3-of-4 free throws in the final 12 seconds. He also recorded the team's lone block.
Pettit's play was just as key in the Crusaders victory. Though he went only 1-of-6 from the field, it was a different story from the charity stripe, as Pettit was able to net 14 of his 16 free throw attempts. Additionally, 18 total rebounds -- four offensive, 12 defensive -- gave the senior a double-double. His rebounding total was easily a game-high, as he doubled the next closest participant's total -- this was Southwestern's James Davenport.
Kewell had a big game as well. Kewell went 5-of-7 from the field, and 4-of-4 from the free throw line, for 14 points. Kewell completed a three-point play with 2:07 remaining in overtime, to tie the game, 69 all. The play stemmed from a layup in which the sophomore made while getting fouled. He would then net a free throw to complete the 'And one.'
Hightower was the fourth Crusader to reach double-digits in scoring on the night. On 3-of-13 shooting from the field, and going 2-of-2 from the free throw line, he registered ten points.
The Crusaders will take a two-week hiatus, game wise, as their next game isn't until Sunday, Dec. 19th, against Schreiner University. The game will tip off at Schreiner at 3:00 p.m.
