MARSHALL, Texas—A tough first half for East Texas Baptist University gave the University of Texas Dallas an advantage, as the Comets took the game in Ornelas Gym, 72-59. ETBU shot just 26 percent, not making a three-pointer in the first half, and fell behind 41-18. ETBU is now 4-12.
 
Jason Justice led ETBU with 22 points, making two three-pointers. Colin Roberts added 16 points, going 5-of-9 from the floor. Michael Roberts recorded eight rebounds to lead the team. ETBU finished shooting 36 percent, made four three-pointers in the second half for 44 percent from the arc, and was 21-of-30 from the line (70 percent). UTD finished shooting 43 percent, hit seven three-pointers for 26 percent, and was 15-of-18 from the foul line (83 percent). UTD outrebounded ETBU, 40-31, as both teams had 16 turnovers.
 
The first half determined the game as ETBU was 0-of-2 from three-point land and only made five shots (26 percent). Michael Roberts tied the game at two on a layup at 19:17, but UTD had a seven-point lead, 11-4, at 16:27. Nikolas Morin hit one free throw at 15:15 to pull within five, 11-6, but by the 7:24 mark, UTD had an 18-point lead, 28-10, on a 17-4 run. UTD hit a three-pointer with 1:32 to go in the half or a 23-point halftime lead, 41-18.
 
ETBU outscored UTD, 41-31, in the second half and was within 12 points late in the game. UTD took their largest lead of the game, 29 points, 47-18, with 17:08 remaining. With 11:27 to go, the Comets still held a commanding lead of 28 points, 55-27. Over six minutes, ETBU went on a 23-7 run, pulling within 12, 62-50. Justice converted an and-1, giving ETBU a chance at 5:31. That is as close as ETBU as Justice had 14 of the 23 points. UTD didn't let the lead slip below 12 points in the final five minutes as they took the win.
 
ETBU will host Hardin-Simmons University on Thursday, January 16, at 7:30 p.m. in Ornelas Gym.