DENVER - The UT Dallas men's basketball team opened the 2026-27 regular season with an 87-83 victory over Westminster (Utah) at the South Central Regional Challenge in Regis Fieldhouse on Friday.
The Comets (1-0) shot 53.3 percent (32-for-60) in the victory over the Griffins (0-2).
Tied at 25-22 with 7:25 left in the first half, UTD went on a 17-5 run over the next 3:33 to take control 39-30. They led 47-43 going into the break.
The Comets pushed the lead 66-54 with 12:30 remaining after a thundering dunk by
Franklin Onyeme. Westminster answered with its own 15-1 rally to take a 69-67 advantage with 7:02 left.
Knotted at 71-71, UTD scored the next four points to take the lead for good. A free throw by WU's Quentin Meza made it a two-point game with six seconds left. After a miss, Comet senior forward
Jordan Balderaz was fouled and hit the final two free throws to secure the victory.
UTD shot over 50 percent in both halves. They also were 4-of-15 from three-point territory and 19-of-31 at the charity stripe with 23 rebounds, 12 assists, 11 turnovers, three blocked shots and 11 steals.
The Griffins shot 45.8 percent (27-of-59) from the field, 8-of-26 from outside and 21-of-29 at the line with 32 rebounds, 14 assists, 17 turnovers and six steals.
UT Dallas Notes
- Point guard
CJ Booker led the Comets with 24 points on 10-of-18 shooting. He also dished out five assists.
- Balderaz finished with 22 points on 8-of-13 shooting with four rebounds.Â
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Jacob Smithey recorded 11 points and two steals.
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Zach Spitzer went 4-for-4 en route to 10 points to go with two blocks and two steals.
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Kris White added seven points, four boards and a team-high three steals.
Westminster Notes
- Meza led WU with 21 points.
- Lukas Sorenson had seven points and eight rebounds.Â
- Patrick Anamali went 6-for-8 from the field for 19 points and three steals.
- Jake Nadauld added 10 points, six assists and five rebounds.Â
- Janne Müller posted five assists and five boards.
Up Next
UTD will take on host Regis (Colo.) on Saturday at 7 p.m. CT.
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