>>01.26.06
UTD Digs Out of Big Early Hole To
Outshoot LeTourneau In ASC East Win
UTD 75, LETU 68

LONGVIEW, TX - Sixteen minutes into Thursday night's American Southwest Conference East Division game against LeTourneau, the UTD men's basketball team found itself in a pitiful hole. The YellowJackets had opened up a 15-point, 37-22 lead behind five three-point shots. The Comets, on the other hand, were 1-for-9 from behind the arch at that point, and in serious possibility of letting the game get away from them.

But Martin Salinas (pictured) hit three straight long-range bombs in the final 3:05 of the half as the Comets went on a 10-0 run to climb back in the game at the half. UTD then turned on the jets in the second half, hitting 54% from the field on its way to a 75-68, come-from-behind win.

The victory, the Comets' fourth in its last five games, improved UTD's record to 6-10 and 6-7 in ASC East Division play – right back into the thick of the divisional race for post-season berths. LETU fell to 6-11, 5-10.

Salinas, who led the team with a 19-point night, was not the only Comet in double figures. In fact, UTD's starting five scored all but two points in the win. Jay Swafford, who had three 3-pointers, wa second in scoring with 18 while Adam Bush added 14. Kersh Milson picked up another double-double, scoring 13 with 10 rebounds.

Salinas' three 3's at the end of the first half cut LETU's first-half lead down to 37-32. The Comets then opened the second period with a 12-7 run to tie the game at 44-44 (15:02) on a Bush layup. After the score was tied again at 50-50 (11:23), UTD opened the game up with a 9-0 run to go up, 59-50, with 7:40 remaining. The YellowJackets went almost five minutes between baskets, but came back to life just long enough to cut the Comet lead down to one (67-66) with 1:04 on the clock.

Travis Carruthers grabbed a crucial rebound off a LETU miss with :31 left, was fouled, then gave the Comets a 70-66 cushion by hitting both free throws. Swafford then did the exact same thing after a LETU miss with :23 left to stretch the lead to 72-66, then was fouled a second time and extended the lead moments later. Carruthers then put the game at its final margin with :04 left on the clock by sinking two more free throws.

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