01.12.08
Comets Finish Off ASC West On a Roll
UTD Tied For ASC East Lead After Running Past HSU, McMurry
RICHARDSON, TX - The UTD men's team opens American Southwest Conference East Division play at home this week against perennial powerhouse Mississippi College, but won't be going into the game chasing the Choctaws from behind.
UTD finished up its eight-game swing through the ASC West Division with a 6-2 record - the same as Mississippi College - after running away from both Hardin-Simmons, 61-47, Thursday night; then McMurry, 86-68, Saturday afternoon in their final two games against the West Division. The two wins runs UTD's current win streak to five games, and improves the Comets' overall record to 10-3.
UTD will have a chance to take over the early East Division lead Thursday when Mississippi College comes to the UTD Activity Center. The Comets have not defeated the Choctaws since the championship game of the 2005 ASC Tournament.
Sixth man Scott Rodgers (pictured) provided a spark in both games, combining for a 26-point weekend while Ernie Lowery finished with 23 points in the two games.
The Comets blew a close game against HSU wide open with a 35-24 second half, which included five three-point shots. Neither team shot particularly well in the first period, but the Comets took a 26-23 lead into the dressing room. The game was still tight (28-27) three minutes into the second half before UTD erupted for a 16-3 run that put it in control at 44-30 with 8:16 on the clock. HSU never got closer than 12 points in the second half, shooting just 32.0 percent after the break.
The game did see HSU center Marchodie Jean break the ASC career rebounding record with five boards, but the two teams finished even at 35 rebounds apiece as Jordan Eppink finished with 12. UTD also forced the Cowboys into 27 turnovers.
The Comets put the outcome of this game on ice early, racing out to a 21-5 lead in the first 7:25 of the game, then never letting McMurry get any closer than 14 points before taking a 46-30 lead into the locker room. In the second half, UTD again took control and went up by 24 points (67-43 at 11:58) by starting the second half on a 21-13 run. McMurry's closest challenge came at 6:42, when a Curtis Davis 3-point shot cut the lead down to 69-56.
UTD shot 62.1 percent from the field in the first half and finished with nine 3-point shots (hitting 6-of-12 in the first period). The Comets were able to outrebound the seemingly more physical McMurry team, 40-34; and overcame a poor day at the free throw line (15-31 shooting). UTD finished with five players in double figures, paced by Temaine Wright and Jimmy Witten (pictured), who also pulled down 10 rebounds and had six assists.
The win served as revenge for McMurry's victory over the Comets last year in the opening round of the ASC Championship Tournament.