12.17.07
Two Home Losses Slows UTD's Fast Start
West Leader UMHB, Concordia Put End To Comets Early Division Lead
RADIO BROADCAST: UTD vs. UMHB (.mp3)
RICHARDSON, TX - The UTD men's basketball team had a less-than-successful return to American Southwest Conference play after starting the season 5-1. The Comets fell to 5-3 and even at 2-2 in league play after faltering late in a pair of home losses to West Division leader Mary Hardin-Baylor and Concordia University.
Concordia rallied in the final 3:50 to overtake UTD, 75-72, Saturday; then UTD gave up an 8-point lead in the final nine minutes Monday to allow UMHB to stay perfect in ASC play, 63-56.
Ernie Lowery (pictured) had a 44-point weekend, but it wasn't enough as he and his teammates had trouble scoring in the late moments of each game.
UTD held its own against the deep and athletic Tornados, but could not overcome a poor second half in their 75-72 loss. The Comets gave up a 43-37 halftime lead by hitting just 39.7 percent from the floor after halftime, then missed on three different three-point shots in the game's final :22 that could have sent the contest into overtime. UTD fiinished a close first half with a 10-5 run, but let the Tornados force a 48-48 tie with 14:38 left. The Comets regained the lead and were still up 67-66 with 3:50 left only to see Concordia score nine unanswered to go up 75-67 with 1:03 on the clock. A Jared Fleming steal and layout got the game within reach with :22 left at 75-72.
Ernie Lowery topped all UTD scorers with 20 points while Jimmy Witten finished with a double-double (12 points, 13 rebounds).
The Comets looked well on their way to handing the visiting UMHB Crusaders their first conference loss when they completed a 20-11 run to open the second half and were up 50-42. But UMHB came to life and the UTD offense suddenly went stone cold, scoring just six points in the final 9:11 of the half. The Crusaders regained the lead at 4:57 and scored eight of the game's final 10 points. The Comets still had a chance when Jimmy Witten nailed a couple of free throws to make it 60-56 with :45 left, but the Crusaders converted their free throws down the stretch. Despite giving up an early 10-0 run to UMHB, the Comets rallied in the first half to take a 31-30 lead at the break.
Lowery again stepped up to lead UTD with 23 points, but no other Comet worked his way into double figures as UTD ended the game shooting just .379 from the field. Despite a very physical game and 42 combined fouls, UTD had just seven free throw opportunities in the game and hit just four of them. UMHB actually helped the Comet cause by missing 9-of-25 from the foul line.