BELTON, TX (02.04.16) - The UT Dallas men's basketball team will be heading to the American Southwest Conference Tournament for the 13th straight season, thanks to an 84-78 road win over Mary Hardin-Baylor Thursday night in ASC crossover play.
 
With four league games left, the Comets (now 14-5, 7-4 ASC) can finish no worse than in a tie for fourth place in the ASC's competitive East Division with four conference games to play (six overall) in the regular season. The 2016 ASC Championship Tournament will be held Feb. 25-27 at the home  of the West Division champion. UTD will have a chance to battle for its fourth conference crown program history.

Thursday night, UTD was able to hold off a final surge by UMHB by going 8-for-8 from the free-throw line over the final 35 seconds. Sophomore Caleb Banks led the way down the stretch for the Comets, hitting six free throws during the final moments to give him a team-best 14 points on the night. Banks ended the game 9-for-10 from the line as he led three Comets in double digits.

The Comets set the tone early, opening the contest with six three-pointers, including three consecutive from Jon Hatcher. UTD led the host Cru, 19-11, at the midway point of the opening half and never looked back, leading by as many as 11 points in the frame before settling for a 43-33 lead at the break.

UTD would lead the Cru by as many as 15 points late in the game before UMHB began one final rally. A put-back by Sidney Deloach with 36 seconds left drew UMHB to within six points, 76-70, with 36 seconds left to play. However, every shot by the Cru was answered by a pair of UTD free throws at the other end.

It was another hot night from beyond the arc for the Comets, who tied a school record with 16 three-pointers Monday night against the University of the Ozarks. UTD finished the win Thursday hitting 11-for-23 (47.8%) from three-point range. The Comets currently rank third in the ASC in three-point shooting at 37.1 percent.

The Comets will try for a fourth straight win Saturday afternoon as they host host new ASC member Belhaven. Game time is 3 p.m. at the UTD Activity Center. Belhaven games do not yet count in conference standings.