RICHARDSON, TX (01.10.15) - The UT Dallas men's basketball team used a dominant first half to pull away early and earn a 77-63 home win over LeTourneau Saturday afternoon in American Southwest Conference play.

Senior Rafael Farley wrapped up the game with his fifth "double-double" of the season, leading the Comets with 23 points and 14 points. Farley had 18 points and nine boards at the break as UTD more than doubled up the YellowJackets, 47-23, after the opening 20 minutes.

The Comets (now 10-3, 5-3 ASC) shot 55.6 percent (15-of-27) from the field in the first half, hitting 7-of-15 three-pointers (46.7%) before halftime. Farley went 5-for-8 from the field, hitting three three-pointers, and was 5-for-7 from the foul line in the first half, leading seven Comets who scored before intermission.

After a three-pointer by Kyle Coulter to start the game, the Comets grabbed an early 15-5 lead after a pair of Nolan Harvey free throws with 13:02 left in the half. With 5:15 left before the break, UTD secured its first 20-point lead of the afternoon as a Harvey layup lifted the Comets to a 33-13 advantage. With 2:45 remaining in the half, UTD more than tripled the YellowJacket output as Harvey hit two more free throws to give the Comets a 40-15 lead.

In the second half, UTD extended its lead to as many as 28 points, the latter coming with 4:28 remaining when a Farley free throw gave UTD a 69-41 cushion. The YellowJackets (4-9, 2-6 ASC) ended the game on a 22-8 run as UTD head coach Terry Butterfield emptied his bench, playing all 18 Comets on the roster.

UTD finished the game 24-of-59 (40.7%) from the field while connecting on 8-of-29 three-pointers (27.6%). The Comets were 21-of-31 (67.7%) from the foul line. Farley was 6-for-14 from the field for the game and 8-for-11 from the free-throw line. Harvey was the only other Comet in double figures as he ended with 12 points, along with three assists and three steals. Coulter had seven points and added 10 rebounds and a game-high five assists.

The Comets hit the road for the first time in the new year Thursday night as they visit Concordia Texas. Game time is 7:30 p.m. in Austin.