An all-around team effort that saw the LeTourneau University men's basketball team shoot a season-best 54.4% (31-for-57) from the field propelled the YellowJackets to an 87-76 win over UT Dallas on Thursday in Longview.

The YellowJackets (11-13, 7-7 ASC) were supported by five players in double figures and a bench that outscored its counterparts by a 36-10 margin en route to the 11-point win. Sophomore reserve Sam Talbert (pictured) scored a team-high 19 to lead the YellowJackets. Also in double figures were freshman Caleb Loggins, seniors CJ Edwards and Zakarius Wells, who each had 12 points and sophomore Alec Colhoff added 11.

"Caleb Loggins played really strong down low and that vacuumed the defense and opened up things up for our guards," said LETU head coach Dan Miller.

The Comets (16-8, 8-6 ASC) were led by Caleb Banks, who scored a game-high 20 including 12-for-16 from the free-throw line. Jon Hatcher and Ben Smith added 16 and 12 points, respectively.

"I thought we had excellent ball movement all night long," added Miller. "We did a good job of cutting hard and finding some easy baskets which opened up some things on the perimeter."

LeTourneau built a 37-35 halftime lead on the strength of its bench, who outscored UT Dallas - 18-0. 12 of the 18 points came from Talbert to lead the YellowJackets. The first 20 minutes featured three lead changes and the score was tied on five occasions.

The second 20 minutes saw the YellowJackets start the half on 12-1 run and remain in front for the rest of the contest. In the run, four-different players scored for the YellowJackets. UTD came back with eight unanswered to close within five, 49-44 but a three-point play by Colhoff regained the momentum for the home team. LeTourneau would build a lead as large as 14 en route to the win.

The YellowJackets will close out the regular season against Ozarks on Saturday at 3 p.m. Prior to the game, LeTourneau will recognize its seniors - CJ Edwards, Chris Hynes, Giovanny Thompson, Zakarius Wells for their contributions to the program, both on and off the court.

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