RICHARDSON - The LeTourneau YellowJacket men's basketball team came into Saturday's game in good position for postseason play, but still not quite sure where they would be. Despite a loss to Texas-Dallas, the Jackets still notched a spot in the ASC Tournament for the first time since 2008-09.
In the game, Texas-Dallas (19-6, 14-5 ASC), the ASC East Champions, jumped all over LeTourneau (11-14, 10-9 ASC), jumping out to a 13-0 lead on their Senior Day. Sophomore Paul All finally got the Jackets on the board with a layup, but the Comets got five straight points to extend their lead to 15.
The Jackets finally got some offense going as the three ball from senior Cristian Driver, freshman Ladaria Brown, and sophomore Josh Thornton. LeTourneau continued to chip away at the deficit, getting the score down to 10, but Texas-Dallas would respond with a big shot to increase the lead.
The two teams really put the offense in gear the last five minutes as each team responded with buckets back and forth. The Comets held the lead they built early in the game as they took a 43-30 lead at the break.
LeTourneau scored the first five points of the second half as senior Deitrich Williams got things rolling offensively, driving the lane and drawing fouls to get to the free throw line. However, Texas-Dallas responded with a 12-2 run to push their lead to the biggest of the afternoon at 18.
The Jackets tried to get back into the game, but it was not enough as the Comets took the win, 76-55 on their home floor.
Brown led the way with 19 points on the afternoon as D. Williams added nine points.
Despite the loss, LeTourneau is in the American Southwest Conference Tournament that will be held on the campus of Texas-Dallas starting Thursday. With a game between Mississippi College, who leads LeTourneau by 0.5 game for third, and Louisiana College still to come Monday, the Jackets are unsure of their seeding at this time.
The Jackets will either be the No. 4 seed and taking on Mary Hardin-Baylor or the No. 3 seed and taking on Concordia on Friday. The bracket and time will be released by the ASC next week.
