LONGVIEW, Texas -- Deonte Jackson had 22 points and the LeTourneau men's basketball team overcame a three-point deficit late to take down St. Thomas, 72-69, in the season opener on Wednesday night inside Solheim Arena.

It is the eighth straight year that LeTourneau (1-0) has won its season opener.

In a game that saw 15 lead changes and 13 ties, the YellowJackets found themselves trailing by three (67-64) with under two minutes left. Back-to-back baskets from Jackson Mayes, four of his 19 points on the night, gave LeTourneau the lead for good at 68-67 with 1:04 remaining.

LeTourneau got a key defensive stop on the following St. Thomas possession and Walker Blaine stretched the lead to three (70-67) with a driving layup with 22 seconds left. St. Thomas got a quick bucket, but two made free throws from Mayes got the lead back to three at 72-69 with nine seconds left.

The YellowJackets had to hold off one more St. Thomas chance. Luke Ramirez was forced to take a highly-contested 3-point attempt as time wound down and it missed the mark to give the YellowJackets the victory.

Jackson had 14 of his game-high 22 points in the second half as he added four assists, four rebounds, and two steals. Mayes finished with 19 points -- 15 of those in the second half -- and seven rebounds. Blaine added 12 points and Christian Adams contributed 10 points, including a thunderous dunk in the second half, and five rebounds.

LeTourneau shot 64 percent (16-of-25) in the second half and went 12-of-14 from the foul line in the period. For the game, the YellowJackets connected on 54.9 percent (28-of-51) from the field and 13-of-18 at the line. 

St. Thomas (0-1) took a 28-26 lead at the half, but made only 2-of-9 from 3-point land in the second half as LeTourneau rallied for the win. The Celts received a game-high 29 points from Calvin Williams IV.

The Celts shot 47.5 percent (28-of-59) for the game and 3-of-16 from deep.

UP NEXT

LeTourneau returns home on Saturday to face Southwestern (3 p.m.).

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