Box Score ABILENE, TX (01/05/08) - The UT Dallas men's basketball team shook off its first loss of the season and a strong challenge from Hardin-Simmons with a late run Monday night on its way to a 79-62 win over Hardin-Simmons

UTD (10-1 overall and 5-1 in the American Southwest Conference) had all it could handle from the Cowboys (3-7, 2-4) before pulling away in the game's final five minutes. HSU had pulled to within 58-57 at the 6:30 mark, but the Comets went on a 22-4 run to close out the game and claim the win.

The Comets got the rally started after Scott Rodgers hit a pair of free throws to stretch the lead back out to three (60-57). Ernie Lowery got a fast break layup off a Temaine Wright steal, then Wright went to the hole on another fast break pass from Brandon Greene. Charles Harris got in the action with a pair of fast break buckets in the paint, including a high-flying dunk that stretched the lead to 10 (70-60) with 3:10 remaining. By the time Greene and Jordan Eppink had added inside baskets and Lowery nailed two free throws, UTD was comfortably up 76-60 with just 1:36 remaining.

Lowery led the Comets with 23 points, hitting 8-of-13 from the field. Chris Barnes, Greene and Eppink combined for 37 points as UTD shot 53.1 percent in the second half to finish at 48.4 percent for the game. The Comets held HSU to just 32.8 percent for the game, and allowed just 8-of-31 shooting in the second half.

UTD controlled the boards, 43-37 with Eppink leading the charge with 8 rebounds.

The Comets meet their final two ASC West Division opponents - Texas Lutheran and Schreiner - this Thursday and Saturday at home, then got into East Division play next week.

BOXSCORE