RICHARDSON, Texas - The UT Dallas men's basketball team nearly erased a 16-point deficit before falling to Eastern New Mexico 90-83 in its Lone Star Conference opener at the Activity Center Thursday night.

The teams were tied at 37-37 after Comet (0-8, 0-1 LSC) sophomore guard Peyton Dulin pulled up for a fastbreak three-pointer with 2:34 remaining in the first half. The visiting Greyhounds (8-1, 3-0 LSC), who were receiving votes in this week's NABC Top 25 Poll, ended the period on an 11-0 run.

ENMU led 64-48 with 11:34 remaining before UTD began chipping away. A three-pointer by junior Matthew Soto made the score 77-72 with 3:52 left. The Greyhounds pushed the lead back to 10 with 1:30 on the clock. The Comets cut the lead down to five before the visitors escaped with the seven-point victory.

UTD shot 44.8 percent (30-for-67) overall, 14-of-35 from three-point territory and 9-of-20 at the line. They also posted 38 rebounds - 19 offensive, 22 assists, 15 turnovers, two blocks and seven steals.

ENMU shot 59 percent (36-of-61) from the field, 3-for-11 from three-point range and 15-of-25 at the free throw line with 35 rebounds, 21 assists, 11 turnovers, two blocks and 15 steals.

UT Dallas Performances
- Sophomore guard Jaden Jefferson led the Comets with 24 points in his regular season debut. He made five three-pointers and came up with seven rebounds, five assists, a block and a pair of steals.
- Soto recorded 14 points, going 4-for-6 from outside. He also dished out four assists.
- Dulin finished with 13 points and three assists.
- Junior forward Zach Spitzer pulled down 10 rebounds and blocked a shot.
- Bryce Potts added nine points off the bench.
- Sophomore center Hudson Goellner had six points and eight boards.

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Eastern New Mexico Performances
- Cooper Jackson led the Greyhounds with 22 points on 9-of-13 shooting to go with eight assists and four steals.
- Jose Murillo went 7-for-9 for 16 points, 10 rebounds and three assists.
- Treyvon Byrd added 12 points.
- Austin Abrams scored 11 points.
- Mo Austin recorded nine points, five assists and three steals.

Up Next
UTD will take on #8 West Texas A&M at home on Saturday at 3 p.m.