Box Score RICHARDSON, TX (1/15/09) - The 22nd-ranked UT Dallas men's basketball team is heading for a showdown with LeTourneau Saturday after holding off a challenge from East Texas Baptist Thursday night with a 76-61 win.

The ETBU Tigers (6-8, 3-6) refused to let UTD get any further than 10-12 points ahead for much of the Thursday night contest before UTD (13-1, 8-1) took advantage of a late run to put the game out of reach. With 9:54 remaining, ETBU cut the Comet lead down to single digits (51-43), but UTD answered with a 13-5 run to put the lead out to 17 points (64-47) with 5:11 remaining and continued to apply pressure down the stretch to claim the win.

The victory improves UTD's overall record to 13-1, but the Comets are even in ASC play with LeTourneau at 8-1. LETU comes to campus Saturday afternoon after posting an 80-70 win over the University of the Ozarks Thursday night. The winner of Saturday's game will take over the early lead in the ASC East Division.

UTD had four players contribute double-figure scoring nights, led by Ernie Lowery's 15 ponts to go with his seven rebounds. Temaine Wright had 14 points, with 12 in the first half as UTD built a 30-22 lead. Brandon Greene hit a pair of threes on his way to 12 points and Jordan Eppink contributed 10 points inside despite playing through foul trouble.

The Comets again clamped down defensively on an opponent, holding ETBU to just 32.2 percent shooting and winning the battle of the boards, 45-33. UTD countered with a 46.7 percent shooting day and matched ETBU with seven 3-point baskets.

BOXSCORE