RICHARDSON, Texas - The UT Dallas men's basketball team shot better than 50 percent for the second straight game, picking up a 79-71 win over East Texas Baptist in American Southwest Conference action at the UTD Activity Center Thursday.

The Comets (8-6, 4-2 ASC) jumped out to an 11-4 lead over the first 2:39 of the game, but the Tigers (7-8, 3-4 ASC) answered with a 19-6 run to go up 23-17 just under the 11 minute mark of the first half. Both teams would exchange leads and ties before UTD went into the locker room, leading 39-36 at halftime. 

The Comets maintained their advantage throughout the entire second half while shooting 53.85 percent (14-for-26) in the period. They led by as many as 11, but ETBU would cut its deficit to 62-59 with 6:26 remaining. UTD held off the visitors' run, outscoring the Tigers 17-12 down the stretch.

Overall, the Comets shot 50.9 percent (28-for-55) from the field, 4-for-10 from three-point range and 19-of-24 at the line. They also recorded 36 rebounds, 18 assists, 15 turnovers, four blocks and nine steals.

ETBU shot 44.1 percent (26-for-59) overall, 9-for-21 from outside and 10-for-15 at the free throw line with 28 rebounds, 15 assists, 13 turnovers, four blocks and seven steals. 

UT Dallas Notes
- With the win, the Comets moved into third place in the ASC standings with 10 games left.
- UTD improves to 34-21 in the all-time series with ETBU.
- Sophomore center Austin Page scored 20 points with four rebounds and a career-high three blocks.
- Senior Donovan Souter hit a pair of three-pointers and scored 17 points with seven rebounds.
- Guard Luke Kiser had a perfect shooting night, going 5-for-5 from the field and 4-for-4 at the line, en route to 14 points.
- Sophomore guard Nick Donnelly also knocked down two three-pointers for 10 points, four assists and a pair of steals.
- Freshman forward Jordan Balderaz added seven points, four boards and three assists.
- Thibaut Tagnon scored five points with season-bests of six rebounds and five assists.
- Rob Wade added five rebounds, four offensive.

East Texas Baptist Notes
- Kurt Labeaud led the Tigers with 14 points and had four rebounds and four assists.
- Joshua R. Davis was 4-for-7 from outside, scoring 12 points off the bench.
- Ryan Elzy posted 10 points, four rebounds and three steals. 
- Michael Roberts had 10 points off the bench.

Up Next
UTD will take on LeTourneau in ASC play at home on Saturday at 3 p.m.
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