Box Score SHERMAN, TX (11.15.09) – The last time the UT Dallas men's basketball team was on the court, they saw a late lead slip away and fell in overtime in the "Elite Eight" round of the NCAA Division III national tournament. Sunday night, the stakes may not have been quite as high, but the storyline was much the same as the Comets opened their 2009-10 season with a 79-77 overtime road loss at Austin College.
A suddenly-hot Kangaroo squad erased a 10-point UTD advantage in the final eight minutes of regulation, tying the score at 73-73 on a coast-to-coast layup with :06 left; then provided just enough defense to keep UTD from getting one final fast break basket as time ran out. In overtime, UTD did not score for the first 3:30 and AC took control with a pair of shots.
The Comets had a chance late, down four (79-75), as
Scott Rodgers was fouled on a three-point attempt. Rodgers' long-range shot rattled off the rim, but he had a chance at the line with three free throws. After hitting the first two, he attempted to carom the third shot off the rim and hope for a Comet rebound, but missed the iron on his third attempt.
The late miscues cost the Comets a chance to get out of Sherman with a season-opening win.
"The thing I'm most disappointed about was our composure,” Coach
Terry Butterfield said afterwards. "We were our own worst enemy, turning over the ball and giving up wide open shots at the wrong time and wrong places."
UTD did, indeed, give away the basketball 21 times, and the turnovers overshadowed a game where the Comets shot a respectable 46.6% and out-rebounded a physical AC front line, 50-34. But AC was able to counter with an offense that nailed 11-of-24 three-point shots – many without challenge - that kept them in the game and eventually forced the overtime.
The Comets started the game slowly and AC was on fire early, jumping out to a 26-17 lead with 6:04 to go in the first half. But UTD battled back, ending the half on a 21-9 run and were up 38-35. The 'Roos continued their cold streak to begin the second period and the Comets stretched out their lead and were up 60-50 with 8:45 to go.
"Austin's a good team," Butterfield said. "They made the big plays when they needed them. They've got a group of seniors who are hungry. I think they'll have a very nice year."
Jimmy Witten paced UTD with 22 points and 13 rebounds while
Scott Rodgers added 13 after moving into a starting role in his senior season.
Jared Fleming hit three 3-point shots on the way to 12 points and
Brandon Greene also finished in double figures with 12. Greene and
Jordan Eppink had seven rebounds each.
UTD travels to Tyler this weekend for a pair of games at the annual Fred Jacoby I-20 Classic, then hosts a rematch with AC in their home opener next Tuesday (11/24) at 7;30 pm.
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