Jan. 16, 2008

Final Stats

Houston Baptist defeated Texas A&M International University 95-80 on Tuesday night at Sharp Gymnasium on the HBU Campus. The result secures a split in the season series between the former Red River Athletic Conference rivals, balancing TAMIU's 79-78 win over the Huskies on Nov. 28 in Laredo.

TAMIU (4-8) would lead most of the first half after starting the game with a 15-5 burst. The Dustdevils took a 39-35 lead on a dunk by Jerante Morgan at the 1:46 mark of the opening period. HBU (6-14) would respond with an 11-4 run to take a 46-43 halftime lead.

TAMIU cut HBU's lead to 59-57 on a layup by Derek Barnes at the 12:50 mark of the second half but the Huskies responded with a 10-2 run to build a 69-59 margin at the 9:32 mark. The Dustdevils fought back again to cut the lead to 79-73 on a dunk and free throw by Chris Swan at the 4:55 mark.

HBU denied the Dustdevil rally by closing the game with a 16-7 run. The Huskies made eight of nine free throws after TAMIU cut the lead to six points.

Derek Barnes led the Dustdevils with 24 points. Chris Swan finished with 19 points and Jerante Morgan contributed a double-double with 16 points and 11 rebounds.

TAMIU returns to action on Thursday with a home game against Incarnate Word. It will be the first home game for the Dustdevils since a Dec. 4 contest against Sul Ross State.