RICHARDSON, Texas – Trailing by 14 late in the first half, LETU rallies to defeat UT Dallas 80-77, in American Southwest Conference action at the UT Dallas Activity Center Tuesday.
Warren Richardson hit 10 of 12 from the field, netting a team-high 23 points and helping the YellowJackets improve to 19-4 overall, including 14-4 in league play. The Comets fell to 14-8, 10-7.
Struggling to stay within striking distance, Richardson tallied six straight points in a minute, sparking a 14-6 run to close the half at 41-35.
Christian Adams matched his career high in points with 16, including nine in the first 20 minutes.
UT Dallas pushed its margin back to double digits at 52-41, when K Pruitt drained a three at the 16:41 mark.
Deonte Jackson's layup completed a 21-10, spurt and knotting the game at 62-62, with 7:51 left in regulation.
Richardson converted at the free-throw line, completing a three-point play 40 seconds later to give the YellowJackets the lead for the final time. His layups at the 5:01 and 4:06 marks pushed the guests margin out to nine – the largest of the contest. They withstood one last flurry and held on for the triumph.
Jackson totaled 13 points, seven assists and three steals. Richardson added five boards, two steals a helper and a rejection. Adams handed out six assists.
Andrew Eberhardt chipped in with 10 points, five boards, three assists, two steals and a block.
Justin Moore finished with seven points in 18 minutes off the bench. Longview's own,
Caedmon Liebengood was 2 of 2 – knocking down two important three pointers in the second half.
LETU wraps up the regular season at Ozarks in Clarksville, Arkansas, Saturday at 3 p.m. The YellowJackets are locked into the No. 2 seed for the American Southwest Championship, which begins Thursday, Feb. 24, in Belton, Texas. The defending champion Eagles are one of six teams fighting for the final three spots in the championship field.
Follow LETU Athletics
For complete coverage of LeTourneau athletics, please follow the Yellowjackets on social media at @LETUAthletics (Twitter), /letuathletics (Facebook), @letu_athletics (Instagram) or visit the official home of LeTourneau University Intercollegiate Athletics at letuathletics.com.
