Box Score >>TOURNAMENT WEBSITE LINK
>>LIVE AUDIO LINK (RADIO UTD)
>>LIVE STATS LINK

UNIVERSITY PARK, OH (03.13.09) - The UT Dallas' men's basketball has advanced to the "Elite 8" in the NCAA Division III National Championship Tournament by shocking No. 13 Capital University (OH), 71-63. 

The Comets will meet the Guilford College (NC), a 78-73 winner over host John Carroll, at 6:00 pm (CT) Saturday for a chance to advance to the Final Four Tournament next weekend in Salem, VA. (See more info on the matchup below.)

Friday night, UTD (26-4) survived a hostile crowd (Capital was located just 140 miles from the John Carroll campus) and the unprecedented 11-for-23 attack from beyond the arch by Capital, whose season ended at 26-5. After an early scoring rush by both teams, the Comets shut down Capital's high-scoring offense, holding the Crusaders to less than 65 points for only the third time this season; and forcing 22 turnovers, the Crusaders' most this season.

In typical playoff fashion, the game featured eight ties and 13 lead changes, but the Comets came up with the most important swing in the game's final minutes. After seeing a five-point advantage (64-59) dwindle down to a one-point edge (64-63) with still 3:31 left, the Comets scored the game's final 8 points to ice the win.

UTD couldn't stop the Capital offense in the first half, as the Crusaders were hitting over 50 percent from the field. Nate Stahl, Capital's All-American candidate was everthing advertised, putting up 16 points in the first period, going 6-for-7 from the field with a perfect 4-for-4 three-point showing. He finished the night with 27 points, missing just five shots the entire game (most in the final minutes).

Still, the Comets trailed by just two at the half, 30-28, as UTD matched the Crusaders in 3-pointers and had already forced 12 turnovers.

In the second half, UTD took a lead several times, only to see the Crusaders charge back. Each time, though, the Comets answered. UTD got out to a nine-point edge (53-44), but four Crusader 3's and a pair of free throws pulled the game even at 56-56 with 6:24 remaining. But UTD did not panic, pulling out to the aforementioned five-point edge (64-59), and then taking control in the final three minutes.

The Comets got double-figure games from four players, paced by Brandon Greene and Jimmy Witten with 15 each. Temaine Wright had 12 points and seven rebounds while Scott Rodgers scored 10 points, all in the second half.

BOXSCORE

SECTIONAL FINAL NOTES: 

The Comets now face a rematch with Guilford Colllege (NC) in a sectional final at 7 pm (ET) Saturday with a berth in the NCAA Division III Final Four on the line. 

Guilford, who the Comets defeated 64-48 early in the season, is now 24-5 after holding off the host John Carroll squad Friday, 78-73. Tonight's sectional final is certain to be played in front of a sparse crowd after both Ohio schools in the tournament were eliminated.

Guilford finished the season ranked 23rd in the D3HOOPS.COM national poll, one spot behind the Comets, who were 22nd. This is the third straight NCAA appearance for the Quakers, who also advanced to the national quarterfinals in 2007. Though they lost in the opening round of the Old Dominion Athletic Conference Championship Tournament, Guilford has won 12 of its last 13 games.

In the Round of 16 win over John Carroll Friday, Guilford's 6-9 junior center Tyler Sanborn posted his 18th double-double of the season, pouring in 23 points with 19 rebounds and 5 blocks. He's one of three juniors on the Quaker squad who are averaging over 15 points per game. Guilford averages 72.2 points per game.

In the first meeting between these two teams, UTD held Guilford to its lowest output of the season in a 64-48 win, and "held" Sanborn to  a 13-point, 16-rebound afternoon. Point guard Clay Henson, who leads Guilford with an 18.8 ppg average, scored 18 against the Comets.

The Saturday sectional final could well come down to which team is able to get going against the opponent's stingy defense. UTD has held opposing teams to only 40 percent shooting all year and just 59.0 ppg. Guilford has allowed opponents to score 65.5 ppg, but is allowing just 38 percent shooting on the season.

UTD Coach Terry Butterfield and Guilford's Tom Palombo coached together at Virginia Wesleyan early in both their careers.