The YellowJackets (0-1) were tied with the Crusaders (1-0) at halftime, 36-36, and took a 12-point lead in the second half before DCC stormed back for the victory. LeTourneau held an advantage in all the major statistical categories, save for one, shooting percentage. LETU shot 31.6 percent from the floor in the first half and just 37.5 percent for the game. Dallas Christian shot a red-hot 59.4 percent in the second half and 53.4 percent for the game. “We were getting good shots, but we couldn’t buy a bucket,” said LETU head coach Bernie Balikian.
Senior shooting guard Julius McClaskey led all scorers with 21 points on 7-of-19 shooting for the ‘Jackets. McClaskey hit four three-pointers and grabbed seven rebounds. Two newcomers to the LeTourneau program scored in double figures as well. Freshman post Tim Butler tallied 11 points and eight rebounds in his first career start, while junior transfer Travis Bankett added 14 points and five rebounds.
The Crusaders were had five different players score in double figures. “Dallas Christian is a very good team and they executed better than we did in the second half,” said Balikian.
The overall statistical comparison shows some of the positives that the YellowJackets can build upon. They outrebounded DCC, 41-38 and were able to get 15 offensive rebounds. The ‘Jackets shot well from behind the three-point line (12-of-32) and went to the foul line more times than the Crusaders (17 to 14). The LETU pressure defense forced 20 turnovers while committing only 14 of their own.
Balikian split the time at point guard between freshman Jonathan Collins and junior transfer Joseph Richards. The two combined to for six assists and one turnover, a ratio that is an encouraging sign. Two freshmen, Brandon Morris and Joseph Solomon came off the bench and provided strong rebounding in limited time.
The YellowJackets play today in the SAGU Pepsi Invitational against Rhema Bible in Waxahachie, Texas.
Newspaper Box Score Dallas Christian College vs LeTourneau YellowJackets 11/19/04 2:00 at Waxahachie, Texas (Full Life Center) At Waxahachie, Texas (Full Life Center) DALLAS CHRISTIAN COLLEGE 81, LETOURNEAU YELLOWJACKETS 78 DALLAS CHRISTIAN COLLEGE (1-0) Harding 7-12 3-3 17; Range 6-10 2-4 16; Williams 5-7 2-4 13; Price 3-5 5-6 12; Wilson 5-9 0-0 10; Miller 3-11 0-1 7; Gresham 1-1 2-2 4; Grimes 1-2 0-0 2; Gordwin 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 31-58 14-20 81. LETOURNEAU YELLOWJACKETS (0-1) Julius McClaskey 7-19 3-3 21; Travis Bankett 4-9 4-6 14; Tim Butler 5-13 1-1 11; Daniel McGraner 2-5 0-2 6; Jeremiah Bastian 2-7 0-0 6; Jonathan Collins 2-4 0-0 5; Ashton Torbert 1-2 2-2 4; Brandon Morris 2-4 0-0 4; Joseph Solomon 1-4 0-0 3; Joseph Richards 1-3 0-1 2; Ryan Curtis 0-1 2-2 2. Totals 27-71 12-17 78. Dallas Christian College...... 36 45 - 81 LeTourneau YellowJackets...... 36 42 - 78 3-point goals-Dallas Christian College 5-9 (Range 2-2; Price 1-2; Williams 1-2; Miller 1-3), LeTourneau YellowJackets 12-32 (Julius McClaskey 4-10; Daniel McGraner 2-4; Jeremiah Bastian 2-7; Travis Bankett 2-5; Joseph Solomon 1-2; Jonathan Collins 1-2; Ryan Curtis 0-1; Joseph Richards 0-1). Fouled out--Dallas Christian College-Grimes, LeTourneau YellowJackets-None. Rebounds-Dallas Christian College 38 (Harding 13), LeTourneau YellowJackets 41 (Tim Butler 8). Assists-Dallas Christian College 15 (Range 6), LeTourneau YellowJackets 14 (Joseph Richards 4). Total fouls-Dallas Christian College 15, LeTourneau YellowJackets 18. A-100