FARMERS BRANCH, Texas – The Dallas Christian College men's basketball team held onto a tie in regulation and then cranked up the intensity in overtime by scoring six of the first eight points and never trailed in the extra period, as the team won 103-95 on Saturday over Ecclesia College.

This victory was the first for the Crusaders since November 30, 2020 and lifted a weight off a Crusaders team that has been up against a difficult exhibition schedule and had other challenges of late. It was a back-and-forth game with nine lead changes and ties and the largest lead any team was up was the DCC eight in overtime.

"We fought hard the two games before and couldn't pull through but we got this one in today," Nick Erves said with joy and relief.

Dallas Christian produced some its best offensive numbers of the campaign, shattering several season-highs in a variety of categories.

Both sides shot nearly 50 percent with DCC eclipsing that mark with a 39-for-78 effort. Ecclesia was 48.9 percent (32-66). The teams each notched eight three-point field goals, and the Royals used six extra made free throws to keep the game close.

It was the first time the Crusaders surpassed triple digits in the scoring column this season. DCC did its damage in the paint with a 56-38 edge. The home side had a 25-13 edge in points off turnovers and 21-10 advantage on second chance points.

Tilyr Hobson was a key factor in the contest, as he posted career-highs in points (23) and rebounds (13) for a double-double. The native of Fort Worth, Texas, pulled down nine offensive rebounds and was 5-for-7 at the free throw line, as the 6'4" post player had his hands full against a bigger Royals' team.

Other Crusaders that contributed double figures were Erves with 20 points and seven boards. Jordan Chambers tossed in 15 points and dished five assists. Reggie Daniels tallied 12 points, seven rebounds, and four steals. Tyjuan Battles rounded out the double-digit scoring quintet with 11 points – nine coming in the second half and overtime.

DCC dished 20 assists as a unit.

Erves has been a great addition to the team the last three games with double-digits tallied in each.

"I honestly cannot put it into words," Erves admitted as he discussed his time waiting to be allowed to suit up with DCC.

"I couldn't wait to get onto the court and make a difference," Erves said before being eligible to play. "Coach is just drawing up plays and my teammates are using their basketball IQ to be able to find me when I pop out."

The first five minutes saw the Crusaders get up to an 8-3 lead thanks to back-to-back treys by Chambers and Elijah Barth. A steal and layup by Battles stretched the lead to the largest it would get until overtime with a 12-5 score with 14:20 minutes left. Two free throws by the Royals gave them a lead around the mid-way point. DCC regained the lead and would hold a slight advantage the rest of the stanza. Erves drilled a three-pointer to make it 36-30 with just under two minutes. The Crusaders would lead 41-39 at halftime. Jalen Perez had a three-point play with five seconds, but Terrell Green hit a three from half-court to finish the stanza.

A 10-3 run put the visitors on top early in the second half. Perez had nailed a tying three-pointer before five straight points gave Ecclesia its largest lead up to that juncture. Hobson would help the Crusaders get back in front as he converted a three-point play with 13:35 remaining. Hobson scored 19 of his game-high points in this half. DCC contained the lead for most of the way and led by as many as six. The Royals struck back with two Shamar Jones free throws tying and giving them the lead at 85-84 with 2:24. Barth tied things with the back-end of two free throws made. The last two minutes were quiet offensively other than a Terrell Green layup and Erves layup. With 39 ticks on the clock, the Royals missed both free throws and Perez turned the ball over for DCC with a second left. Nothing else occurred as DCC's 19-5 second chance points and 13-2 difference on points off turnovers were noticeable in the frame.

Chambers described the team's energy as contagious in that moment after regulation.

"We went into the huddle we are thinking about the next play," Chamber stated. "It was overtime, it is 0-0 and we came out with a win." The guard did say it was nice to finally get one other his belt after being unsuccessful the last six times.

Daniels had the first two points and Perez added a free throw later. Ecclesia scored to make it a one-point difference, but Erves drained a trifecta with three and a half minutes left in the game. Hobson and Battles scored back-to-back field goals for DCC to stretch a 2-point lead to six. Chambers iced the game with the next four free throws made. Daniels had a fastbreak layup seal the final score. 

Dallas Christian won for the second time in overtime this year and is unblemished in those situations. The pair of wins happened at home.

"The intensity was crazy," Erves explained. "We should have pulled through at the free throw line but we just got into overtime and we got that extra boost and got it done."

The Crusaders moved to 3-2 on the year, while Ecclesia dropped to 2-10.

Chambers thinks the team's preparation has kept them stronger this year.

"We think about our preparation and circumstances that we are in. We wake up at 5 a.m. and practice hard every day."

Dallas Christian is on the road for a conference tilt at Arlington Baptist University on Tuesday, January 19. The team also has an exhibition with UNT-Dallas on Jan. 26.