LONGVIEW, Texas – In a matchup of heavyweights in the American Southwest Conference, LETU suffered a 79-77 setback against UMHB at Solheim Arena Monday.
 
The YellowJackets (16-4, 11-4) bid for the regular-season title took a step backward, falling a game and a half behind the Crusaders (17-2, 12-2).
 
UMHB has five games remaining and holds the tiebreaker by sweeping the season series, while LETU has four contests left. The regular season champions earn the No. 1 seed and hosts the 2022 American Southwest Conference Men's Basketball Tournament Feb. 24-26, 2022.
 
Christian Adams booked his first career double-double with 13 points and 11 rebounds, adding three steals and two blocks. Andrew Eberhardt, second in the league in scoring average, finished with a team-high 18 points, collecting six boards and four assists.
 
Kyle Matthews chipped in 17 points, with five rebounds, three assists and a pair of steals. Deonte Jackson, third in scoring average in the conference, netted 14 points.
 
Trading jabs and body shots from beginning to end, neither side was able to deliver the knockout blow. Trailing for much of the game, UMHB hung around with a parade to the charity stripe, especially in the second half, converting 14 of 16 at the line.
 
Leading by six with 90 seconds left, LETU attempted six of its 16 free throws, missing four and missing a layup, allowing the guests to escape with the win. After a defensive rebound with eight ticks left, the Crusaders pushed the ball up the court and Josiah Johnson hit the game winner at the horn.
 
Johnson, the league's leading scorer was 7 of 22 from the field, including 0 for 7 from three-point range before hitting the final attempt. His point total was accumulated at the line, making all 14 attempts, two more than the entire YellowJackets took.
 
LETU made nine of its 16 free throws and assisted on 15 of 29 made field goals. UMHB went 21 for 24 at the strip and handed out eight helpers on 26 buckets.
 
The YellowJackets outscored the Crusaders 36-30 in the paint and shot 46% from the floor, including 40% from distance. UMHB converted 42% from the field, with 33% from three-point range.
 
LETU welcomes McMurry into Solheim Arena Thursday at 7:30 p.m.
 
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