SAN ANTONIO, Texas - The UT Dallas men's basketball team won its First Round game of the NCAA Division III Championship Tournament, defeating #15 Trinity (Texas) 67-63 at the Bell Center Friday night.

With the win, the Comets (19-9) advance to the Second Round against #19 Nebraska Wesleyan Saturday at 7:35 p.m. This will be UTD's fifth Second Round game in the NCAA tourney and have a 3-1 record in previous games. NWU and UTD have never played each other in men's basketball.

The Comets never trailed the Tigers (23-4) in the first half and led 30-27 at halftime. The visiting team led 60-52 with 5:19 left before Trinity went on a 10-0 run to gain a 62-60 advantage at the 2:39 mark. The game remained scoreless for over two minutes before UTD senior guard Donovan Souter buried a three-pointer from the left wing with 24 seconds left to regain a one-point lead. After a missed TU shot, Austin Page grabbed the rebound and Nick Donnelly was fouled and made both free throws to gain a 65-62 lead. The Comets fouled Jacob Harvey who made the first free throw and missed the second with Donnelly grabbing the board and getting fouled. He once again knocked down both free throws with two seconds left to give UTD the four-point victory.

The Comets shot 39.3 percent (24-for-61) from the field, 7-for-26 from three-point range and 12-for-16 at the line. They also recorded 51 rebounds, 12 assists, 22 turnovers, two blocks and 11 steals.

The Tigers shot 39.1 percent (25-for-64) overall, 4-of-24 from outside and 9-of-20 at the free throw line with 35 rebounds, 11 assists, 15 turnovers, four blocks and 17 steals.

UT Dallas Notes
- The Comets lead the all-time series with the Tigers 8-6 and 2-1 in the NCAA Tournament.
- Page led all players with 17 points to go with seven rebounds and a blocked shot.
- Souter hit five three-pointers for 15 points and tied his career-high of four steals. Souter extended his school record to 98 threes made on the season.
- Donnelly went 4-for-4 at the line and scored 14 points.
- Junior forward Rob Wade came up with six points and eight rebounds, six of which where offensive.
- Junior guard Luke Kiser pulled down 10 rebounds and had three steals.
- Freshman Jordan Balderaz also recorded six points and eight boards.
- Thibaut Tagnon tied his career-best with six assists.

Trinity Notes
- Grayson Herr led the Tigers with 15 points off the bench, going 7-of-10.
- Dean Balo scored 10 points off the bench with three steals.
- Christian Green recorded nine points, six rebounds and three steals.
- Jacob Harvey dished out four assists.
- Abdullah Roberts grabbed seven rebounds.

Up Next
The Comets and Prairie Wolves will battle at the Bell Center at 7:35 p.m. Saturday night with a trip to the NCAA Sectionals on the line.