JACKSON, MS (01.28.16) - It wasn't as easy as they might have hoped, but the UT Dallas men's basketball team broke a two-game road skid Thursday night with a late rally against provisional American Southwest Conference member Belhaven University on the way to an 87-75 win in Rugg Arena.

The game did not count in the ASC standings.

Belhaven (now 2-16), lost for the 14th time in its last 15 games, following a familiar script by fighting in a tight game throughout until the opponent pulls away late for a win. The story was no different Thursday against the Comets (12-5 overall), who were still trailing the Blazers until the final seven minutes of the game and then stretched out a lead with turnovers, rebounds and free throws in the final two minutes, holding Belhaven without a field goal in the final 4:42.

Four Comets ended up in double figures on a night the UTD offense was clicking throughout. UTD hit over 51 percent of its shots (33-of-66) from the field and nailed 7-of-24 three-pointers. Dapo Ogunfeitmi led the charge with 18 points, scoring 14 in the first half. Reagan Keough and Kyle Colter combined for 29 points and 16 rebounds while Noah Hill led the late charge, scoring 10 of his 13 points in the pivital final minutes. 

The Comets and Blazers battled throughout the first half, exhanging the lead eight times. UTD built a 37-28 lead on a Ogunfeitmi three-pointer at 3:37, but Belhaven finished the half on a 14-4 run and had a 46-43 lead at intermission.

The second half began much the same way with Belhaven stretching out its lead, and the Comets battling back to cut the score to one point five different times. Kailen Bray came off the bench to lead a UTD surge with five quick points, eventually tying the score at 65-65 on a layup and foul shot with 9:58 remaining. UTD did not trail again, but the fight was not over. Belhaven tied the game for the fourth time (71-71) on a dunk off an inbound pass at 7:08. But Hill started his 10-point outburst with a three-pointer on the other end to put the Comets ahead for good.

Still, UTD was nursng a three-point (78-75) lead with 3:31 remaining before the Blazers turned the ball over on three straight possessions, and Hill and Colter connected on a three-pointer and layup inside of 2:00 to finally give UTD a cushion with an 83-75 lead. Hill and Caleb Banks finished things off with 4-for-4 free throw shooting in the final minute. UTD was 14-of-18 at the line while Belhaven connected on just 19-of-27 chances. Belhaven did not score the final 3:31 of the game.

UTD ended up scoring 18 points off 15 forced Belhaven turnovers. The Comets also got 29 points worth of scoring off its bench.

The Comets return to American Southwest Conference play at home Monday night when they host the University of the Ozarks at 7:30 pm.