UMHB trailed 59-44 with 13:14 remaining in the second half before the Crusader offense came to life. Back-to-back baskets by Neiman Ford, a three-pointer from Zane Johnston and two threes from Tim Lytle cut it to a seven points. After a UTT basket, Lytle hit another three to cut the lead to 66-60 and UMHB would cut the gap to three on three more occasions before Ford’s lay-up at 4:19 pulled UMHB to within 74-73. A Kevin Byrne basket and free throw made it 77-73 UTT before a Kevin Guyden basket and Ryan Burgart free throw cut it to 77-76. Guyden then drilled a three with 2:21 left to play to give UMHB a 79-77 edge and the lead for the first time all night. Guyden added another basketball to make it 81-77. UTT fought back to close to 82-81 on a pair of Jeff Cotton free throws with 19 seconds remaining. Guyden then hit a free throw and the Patriots missed a three with five seconds left. Johnston added another free throw to put the Crusaders up 84-81. Byrne’s desperation three at the buzzer went in, but was waved off after officials looked at the replay and determined time had expired before the shot.
Lytle led UMHB with 19 points and he hit 5-9 three-pointers. Guyden and Ford added 16 points apiece and Ford also grabbed seven rebounds for the Cru. Brandon Weasby had a game-high 26 for the Patriots on 9-17 shooting and Anthony Hightower came off the bench to score 11. UMHB could have pulled away with the game but went just 24-42 from the free-throw line.
The UMHB men will return to action with an ASC home game Tuesday night. The Crusaders will host U.T.-Dallas for a 7:30 PM tip-off as the second half of a women’s-men’s doubleheader.