REDLANDS, CA (11.08.19) - Senior Jalen Weber drained the game-winner from the top of the key with five seconds left in overtime as the UT Dallas men's team upended Redlands, 74-71, Friday night in the Comets' 2019-20 season opener.

After forcing the extra period with a buzzer-beater three-pointer, knotting the contest at 64-64, Weber accounted for all 10 points for the Comets in overtime, including the game-winner. The senior led the Comets with 27 points on the night, 17 of which came after halftime. He finished 9-for-15 from the field, connecting on 5-of-6 three-pointers, and added four assists and a pair of rebounds in the season-opening victory.

Hans Burwitz added 15 points to go with seven rebounds while Kavin Ezekwe finished with 10 points, rounding out the Comets in double figures. Kelden Pruitt added nine points and a team-best nine rebounds.

The Comets closed the win shooting 27-of-62 from the field (43.3%), hitting 7-of-16 shots (43.8%) from the outside. UTD defended the perimeter well as Redlands struggled heavily beyond the arc as the host Bulldogs (0-1) hit just 4-of-33 shots (12.1%) from three-point range.

UTD maintained a lead for the entire first half, leading by as many as nine, and went into the locker room up 31-27.  After the break, the Comets extended their lead to 46-36 with 11:35 left after a Simeon Soname dunk, but Redlands was able to fight back and eventually trim the lead to just two points, 48-46, with 9:21 remaining. However, the host Bulldogs would not claim their first lead of the game until the final seconds of the contests hen Jack Roggin hit a trey with 14 remaining in regulation to give Redlands a 62-61 advantage. 

Redlands stopped the Comets on their next possession and extended its lead to 64-61 with just five ticks left after two Gary Menary free throws.

The Comets return to action Saturday with a 5 p.m. (Central) game at Whittier College.