BRYAN-COLLEGE STATION, Texas – The Dallas Christian College men's basketball team got to matchup with NCAA Division I and SEC opponent Texas A&M University on Monday night. DCC was invited by the prestige Aggies after their previous game with Tulane University was cancelled earlier this month.
 
Texas A&M was gracious that the Crusaders were able to respond to filling its void in the schedule on short notice. Head Coach Buzz Williams said, "I am thankful that all of this worked out from a logistical standpoint…I thought tonight that the rep we got tonight was much better than the game we played last Tuesday."
 
Dallas Christian allowed the first points to the Aggies, but grabbed its first lead on a three-pointer by Jordan Harris at 17:57. The Aggies split at the free throw line to tie things, but DCC answered with another trey by Tilyr Hobson. Nick Erves kept the early hot shooting going for the Crusaders with a triple of his own to cap a 9-3 advantage in just over four minutes to start the game.
 
The Aggies erased the gap over the next minute and took a 10-9 lead with a three by Hassan Diarra. Jarius Allen had a layup, which was the first made field goal that was not from downtown for the final DCC lead of the night at 13:19. Texas A&M stormed away with 18-0 and 22-0 runs before halftime. Their strength came from scoring 54 points off 33 DCC turnovers.
 
The Crusaders kept the sharp three-point shooting up with 12 made field goals from that range. This is the third straight game (two exhibitions) for DCC to eclipse double figures from behind the three-point line. The Crusaders had 19 made field goals overall.
 
Erves was the leader for DCC with 13 points and eight rebounds for team-bests in each category. Tyjuan Battles garnered 10 points for the other double-digit performance, while Hobson followed with nine. Jalen Perez contributed six points and five assists.
 
The Aggies shot 51.3 percent from the floor and had 11 made three-pointers, one shy of DCC. Diarra paced five players in double figures offensively with 16 points, that included four trifectas. Quenton Jackson tossed in 13 points, while Aaron Cash had 11 to match a game-high eight boards with DCC's Erves.
 
Texas A&M improved to 10-2 overall, while the Crusaders remained 1-2 on the campaign and added their 12^th exhibition.

Video recap by kbtx3
 
Dallas Christian finishes 2021 with two games at home as part of a big DCC Christmas Classic that the women's team is also doing. The men's team hosts Paul Quinn College on Wednesday at 8 p.m. and concludes things on Friday at 4 p.m. with Texas A&M University-Texarkana.
 
Check out full schedule
 
"Dallas Christian educates and mentors students to be people of influence engaging in their calling to the work of Christ in the church and in the world."