LONGVIEW – Kyle Matthews hit a driving layup at the buzzer as Blue beat White, 105-103, in what was supposed to be the men's basketball team's regular season opener Friday afternoon at Solheim Arena. Instead, the YellowJackets had to settle for an intrasquad game.
 
"The guys were disappointed when we found out we were not going to be able to play Sul Ross (State) today, but they bounced back and put on a great performance," said head coach Dan Miller, who observed from the sidelines while assistants James Wallace and Zakarius Wells each coached a color.
 
"We want to thank the fans, and especially the women's basketball team, who brought a lot of energy and fun to the gym today."
 
Warren Richardson scored a game-high 27 points, and grabbed six rebounds, while playing for White. Kyce Wilson had 23 points to pace the Blue.
 
Matthews, who was credited for 9 of 14 shooting, had 21 points, four boards, three assists and three steals. He was one of three Blue players who scored 20 points, Andrew Eberhardt the third. Justin Moore had 20 points, Walker Blaine had 18 points and five rebounds, and Deonte Jackson added 15 points for White.
 
Blue went 14 of 26 from long distance, while White was 8 of 20. White was 13-for-17 from the free throw line, and outrebounded Blue, 39-29.
 
White took a 55-54 lead into halftime. White was 22 of 36 from the field in the first half. Blue went 23 of 40 in the opening 20 minutes. Blue was 1-for-6 from the free throw line in the opening half, which witnessed seven lead changes and two ties. Blue held the lead for 16:54 in the half.
 
With the game tied at 103 in the closing seconds, Matthews drove to the rack, beating the buzzer with the game winner.
 
"Warren and Kyle both attacked the rim all night, and it was fitting that Kyle hit the game winning shot in the paint to cap off a great game," Miller said.
 
Richardson went 13 of 19 from the field. Wilson and Eberhardt combined for 10 triples.
 
Brick Fosnight had 14 points, seven rebounds and six assists for Blue, which shot 60 percent from the field in the second half. White hit 61 percent of its field goals in the opening half. Rashard Johnson had 12 points for Blue.
 
"I am very pleased with the way the team moves the ball and are shooting," Miller said. "The depth of this team might be the best we've had here, and it showed today, even with big John (Argue) out. Guys like Kyce, Deonte, Walker, Rashard and others stepped up today with big plays."
 
The YellowJackets will play at Rice in an exhibition Thursday, Dec. 3.