NEWPORT NEWS, Virginia – The University of Texas-Dallas rode a 11-point halftime lead to defeat the Wilmington College men's basketball team 83-55 on the final day of the Hampton Marina Christopher Newport University Invitational on Sunday.
The Comets scored the first seven points before Colin Myers opened the Fightin' Quakers' scoring with a triple off a pass from Payton Smith three minutes in. Texas-Dallas grew its advantage to double digits a the 12:41 mark, but Wilmington answered with triples from Matt Smith and DaeShawn Jackson to get within five points (20-15) midway through the first half. Two minutes later, back-to-back baskets from Jackson got Wilmington within a single basket.
Unfortunately, the Quakers couldn't get closer as the Comets ended the half on a 16-5 run to lead 44-33 at the break.
Myers and Jackson connected on three-pointers on Wilmington's first two possessions of the second half making the score 48-39, but a 13-0 run over the next eight minutes put the game away.
The Comets shot 53.6 percent (30-of-56) from the field and won the rebounding battle 53-20. The Quakers countered with a 10-of-31 (32.3 percent) performance from beyond the three-point arc and forcing 17 turnovers.
Individually, three Quakers – Jackson, Mansfield and Myers – scored in double figures including a team-high 16 from Jackson. Smith dished out five assists while Mansfield had two steals.
The Texas-Dallas duo of Jalen Weber and Kelden Pruitt combined for 55 points on 17-of-26 shooting.
Wilmington (1-5) opens Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) play at home against Heidelberg University on Saturday. Tip-off from Hermann Court is scheduled for 3 p.m.
