ST. LOUIS, MO (11.22.14) - The 22nd-ranked UT Dallas men's basketball team found its long-range accuracy quickly Saturday afternoon, jumping on host Webster University early and cruising to a 69-48 win at the Cavallo Classic.

The Comets (3-0) raced to a 32-19 halftime lead over the Gorlocks (2-2) and built as much as a 28-point advantage in the second half by peltering Webster with 14-of-26 three-point shooting along the way. The win was UTD's third straight to open the 2014-15 season. 

Senior transfer Rafael Farley, who was named the MVP of the Cavallo Classic, once again paced the UTD attack, scoring 21 points while connecting on 5-of-9 three-point shots. Senior Matthew Medell, who joined Farley on the All-Tournament Team, scored 14 points, 12 of which came from beyond the arch on 4-of-4 shooting.

 

UTD dominated the boards for a 38-28 rebounding advantage and held the Gorlocks to 37.5 percent shooting (18-of-48). Kyle Coulter topped UTD under the boards with seven rebounds while Ryan Horton and Nolan Harvey ripped down five apiece.

Webster also attempted to live outside the arch, but made just 6 of 22 three-point attempts.

Medell hit the Comets' first three-pointer in the opening minute of the game and helped push the Comets to a 10-2 lead in the first three minutes of the game. After Webster had pulled to within 10-5 at the 15:38 mark, UTD took off on a 11-4 run over the next four minutes that was bookended with a pair of Farley three's and put the Comets comfortably in the lead at 21-9. 

UTD got another Farley three in a 5-0 start to the second half that pushed a 32-19 halftime lead to 37-19 with 18:45 remaining. Then, Farley and Medell led an 18-8 UTD run that stretched the lead to its largest margin (55-27) with 11:27 to go. As Coach Terry Butterfield emptied the bench with all 16 players seeing action, Webster was able to cut the deficit to under 20 points just once time the rest of the way.

The Comets will open American Southwest Conference play on the road Tuesday night against Louisiana College in Alexandria, Louisiana, then return home for an ASC showdown with pre-season favorite Hardin-Simmons next Saturday afternoon in the UTD Activity Center.