Dillard University of New Orleans pulled away late Monday night at the Patterson Student Center to hand Texas A&M University-Texarkana its first home loss, 88-74.
The Blue Devils (4-2) turned a three-point advantage into a 15-point lead in the final three minutes of the game.
TAMU-T (1-2) fell behind 8-0 in the first two minutes of the game. The Eagles battled back twice in the first half to pull within one point, but would never lead in the game.
The Eagles rallied within a single point twice in the second half, but both times Dillard’s Tyrell Alcorn answered with 3-pointers. Trailing 56-55 in the final 10 minutes, TAMU-T had an opportunity to tie the score at the free throw line, but missed the front end of a one-and-one situation.
Dillard wasn’t a lot taller than the Eagle’s five-guard lineup, but its two 6-6 postmen dominated the paint most of the game. Jamerson Roberts had 10 points and 6 rebounds, missing much of the game in foul trouble. Elijah Pittman added 14 points and 6 rebounds as the Devils won the battle on the boards, 45-38.
Dillard shot over 50 percent from field
The Devils also shot well from the field, finishing at 51 percent, compared to the Eagles’ cool 37 percent.
Texarkana kept the score close in the first 20 minutes with nine treys, three by junior Anthony McGee. Connor Ouellette bombed in a pair of 3-pointers, with Desmond Kennedy, Decorion Phillips, Kyle Dow and Aaron Harmon also scoring from outside.
The Eagles converted only 4 of 18 treys in the second half. McGee added one more, tying Kennedy with a team-high 16 points. Ouellette contributed 13 points, 5 assists, and a game-high 7 rebounds. Phillips tallied 10 points.
Both teams had nine offensive boards in the game. Dillard scored points on eight of those occasions, while the Eagles managed to score on three times.
Another significant statistic came on defense. The Eagles were credited with eight steals in the first half, but only one in the second half. Texarkana forced 21 turnovers, but had 18 of its own.
Texas A&M-Texarkana will be back in action Thursday at home against Lyon College of Batesville, Ark.