RICHARDSON, TX (12.28.19) - Junior forward Kelden Pruitt bounced in running jumper for the game-winner with 1.0 seconds left to play as the UT Dallas men's basketball team rallied for a 61-60 victory over perennial national tournament contender Wisconsin-Stevens Point Saturday afternoon to open the 2019 UTD Classic.

Pruitt drove the lane after teammate Jalen Weber passed on a three-pointer on the Comets' final possession to cap a 14-0 run by UTD to close out the contest. The Comets trailed by as many as 18 points late in the contest.

Down 58-40 with 8:19 remaining in the contest, the Comets use a lay up by Hans Burwitz followed by a clutch three-pointer by Kolton Pruitt to ignite the comeback. UTD limited the Pointers to just two points and without a field goal over the final eight minutes to earn the victory. UWSP finished the game 0-for-9 and committed three costly turnovers down the stretch after the Pointers secured their largest lead of the night, 18 points, on three free throws by Ethan Bublitz after being fouled by Burwitiz on a desperation attempt from the right corner.

The Comets cut the deficit to single digits, 60-51, at the 5:07 mark after Burwitz hit the first of two free throws. Kelden Pruitt then added his only three-pointer of the contest after a UWSP turnover to draw UTD within six points. After an errant jumper by the Pointers on their ensuing trip down the floor, Michael Forster would bring the Comets within just three points, 60-57, with a trey from the left corner, thanks to a skip pass by Xavier Ferrell. With 2:57 on the clock, Weber connected on two free throws to make it a one point game, setting up Pruitt's game-winner. Both teams were scoreless between Weber's free shots and Pruitt's jumper.

After a strong start to the game, the Comets found themselves trailing UWSP, 32-28, at halftime, despite shooting 44 percent (11-for-25) from the field. UTD drew within a point with just over 17 minutes to play on a Ferrell lay up, but the Pointers would slowly pull away over the next several minutes. UWSP secured its first double-digit lead of the game at the 11:25 mark of the second half when Bublitz hit a pair of free throws, lifting the Pointers to a 48-37 advantage. Bublitz accounted for the final 18 points for the Pointers, adding a pair of free throws at the 6:30 mark for UWSP's only points after his three free throws two minutes earlier.

Weber and Burwitz each finished with a team-high 14 points while Kolton Pruitt had nine points and Ferrell added eight points. Kelden Pruitt and Forster both contributed seven points. Burwitz led UTD with eight rebounds while Weber and Ferrell each dished out six assists.

Bublitz closed the loss with a game-high 20 points, all of which coming in the second half.

The Comets (6-3) will look for their first three-game winning streak of the young season Sunday night when they close the UTD Classic against Blackburn College. Tip-off is set for 6 p.m. at the UTD Activity Center.