RICHARDSON, Texas - The UT Dallas men's basketball team opened the 2023-24 campaign with an 86-76 loss to the University of Dallas at the UTD Activity Center Wednesday night.
The visiting Crusaders built an seven-point lead with just over four minutes remaining in the first half, but the Comets ended the period with a 10-4 run and trimmed the UD lead to 40-39 going into the break.
Dallas, however, scored the first 10 points of the second half to take control of the game. The Crusaders led by as many as 18 before UTD cut it down to a nine-point deficit with just under a minute left.
The Comets shot 37.7 percent from the field (26-for-69) and were 9-of-31 from three-point range and 15-of-23 at the free throw line. They also recorded 46 rebounds, 19 assists, 18 turnovers, five blocks and nine steals.
The Crusaders shot 45.3 percent for the game (29-of-64), went 10-of-25 from outside and 18-of-25 at the line. They also had 41 boards, 17 assists, 16 turnovers, five blocks and 12 steals.
UT Dallas Notes
- Junior guard
Nick Donnelly scored a career-high 23 points, making a trio of three-pointers, and went 6-for-6 at the line.
- Freshman
Jordan Balderaz had a double-double in his collegiate debut, posting 17 points and 14 rebounds. He went 5-for-7 from the field and blocked two shots as well.
- Senior
Donovan Souter had nine points, six rebounds and three assists.
- Freshman guard
Matthew Soto added seven points and dished out four assists.
- Sophomore forward
Ethan Van Horn finished with 11 rebounds and a pair of blocked shots.
- Balderaz, Soto,
Franklin Onyeme,
Jaelyn Rivera and
Ryan Nurenberg all made their Comet debut.
Dallas Notes
- Kelton Coleman led the Crusaders with 25 points off the bench on 9-of-13 shooting. He also had four steals.
- Johnny Olmsted had 14 points and went 7-for-7 at the line.
- Marcus Jaurez recorded 12 points and nine rebounds.
- Jamal Leftwich scored 11 points with five boards.
- Jack Boyle had 10 points, seven rebounds, three assists and three blocks.
Up Next
UTD will travel to Seguin, Texas to face Texas Lutheran on Thursday, November 16 at 7 p.m.
