Posted: Feb 23, 2019
SEGUIN, Texas - Fifth-seeded University of Dallas shot a blistering 56.1 percent from the floor, including 52.9 percent from distance, to upset top-seeded Southwestern University, 91-84, and advance to the program's first-ever SCAC men's basketball championship game. Official Tournament Website | Post-game Interview w/Univ. of Dallas
The Crusaders opened the first half by hitting 61.1 percent (11-18) but Southwestern forced 12 turnovers and UD had to settle for a 42-40 halftime lead.
HOW IT HAPPENED
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Southwestern last led at 5-4 at the 17:53 mark, but did tie the game on two occassions, the last coming at 36 with 3:44 remaining in the half.
- Both teams got into the bonus early in the second half and shot a combined 75 free throws. Dallas hit on 36 of 41 (87.8 percent) and Southwestern made 24 of 34 (70.6 percent).
- Dallas led by as many as 16 with 4:52 remaining, and the closest the Pirates would come from that point was five (89-84) in the waning seconds.
- For the second consecutive night, Dallas had four players reach double-figure scoring, led by Michael Wambsganss and Dustin Mathis with 19 each.
DALLAS STATISTICAL STANDOUTS
- Michael Wambsganss: 19 points, 6 rebounds
- Dustin Mathis: 19 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists
- Jai Love: 17 points, 3 rebounds, 4 assists
- John Russell: 15 points, 5 rebounds
SOUTHWESTERN STATISTICAL STANDOUTS
- Brandon Alexander: 29 points, 6 rebounds
- Joel Martinez: 18 points, 2 steals
- Ryan Wheeler: 8 points 4 rebounds, 4 assists
NOTABLE
- Dallas is heading to the SCAC championship game for the first time in program history. Prior to this year, the Crusaders had only made other semifinal appearance - in 2015, when they hosted the event.
- Southwestern's Brandon Alexander made 12-of-12 from the foul line, the second-best performance from the charity stripe in SCAC men's tournament history. Andrew Maddock of Colorado College made 14-of-14 in a 2016 game against Austin College.
- Dallas is the first fifth seed to make it to the SCAC tournament final since Sewanee in 2005 when the championship was an eight-team event.
- Southwestern ends its season with a 14-12 record.
UP NEXT
Dallas (11-16) advances to take on the winner of tonight's second semifinal (Texas Lutheran vs. Trinity) in Sunday's championship game of the 2019 SCAC Men's Basketball Tournament. Tip-off is scheduled for 2 p.m. CT.
Dallas (11-16) advances to take on the winner of tonight's second semifinal (Texas Lutheran vs. Trinity) in Sunday's championship game of the 2019 SCAC Men's Basketball Tournament. Tip-off is scheduled for 2 p.m. CT.