CLARKSVILLE, AR (02.27.21) - The UT Dallas men's basketball team was handed a tough American Southwest Conference East Division loss Saturday afternoon, falling at Ozarks, 81-76.

The Comets (now 7-4, 5-4 ASC) have now dropped back to fifth place in the competitive ASC East Division with two games left in the regular season. UTD will open a two-game road swing in Abilene on Thursday when the Comets visit McMurry.

After a back-and-forth opening half, the host Eagles used an 8-0 run early in the second period to pull away and allowed UTD to regain a lead. The Comets made surges throughout the half, getting within two points, 62-60, with 7:06 on a Dimitrius Underwood jumper. However, Ozarks answered with back-to-back three-pointers by Grayson Nix to regain an eight-point cushion just over a minute later.

The Comets made another late run to cut the deficit again to just two points, 71-69, with 2:59 remaining after two Underwood free throws. But, the Eagles had another answer and quickly extended their lead back to seven points after yet another Nix trey. Kameron Pruitt hit a three-pointer with 10 seconds left to draw UTD back within a single possession, but the Eagles iced the victory with two late free throws.

Underwood led all scorers with 28 points on 11-of-21 shooting while Kelden Pruitt ended with 16 points. Kameron Pruitt finished the game with nine points and seven rebounds.