MANHATTAN, Kan. – The Dallas Christian College men's basketball team dropped its first official contest and NCCAA Southwest Regional Opener at Manhattan Christian College on Wednesday night, 79-60.
The Crusaders posted 30 points each half, but could not overcome a 10-point halftime deficit at Howie's Activity Center. DCC shot 37.9 percent from the floor and were 5-for-19 from downtown.
The Thunder shot 42.4 percent and made three more three-pointer with eight, and took advantage of 17 free throw attempts with 15 makes. A glaring difference was the size advantage on rebounds with Manhattan taking a 48-26 edge over the Crusaders.
DCC was led offensively by
Nick Erves with 14 points and hit all four free throws he attempted.
Jalen Perez in his first game back matched his jersey number with 11 points on 4-for-7 shooting.
Tilyr Hobson rounded out the double-digit scoring trio with 10.
Micah Tucker led the all-guard roster with seven boards.
Manhattan, who improved to 3-4 overall, tallied the first 10 points and never trailed in the game. The home team would match that margin at the end of 20 minutes.
Joseph Allen recorded the first DCC point on a free throw and then his brother, Jarius Allen, swiped a steal to find
Jordan Harris on a layup for the fast break assist. Erves had a three-pointer and then his pair of free throws after a two from the line by Perez knotted things at 10. Perez answered a Manhattan trey with one of his own to tie things at 13. Down five, DCC fought back with Erves hitting a tying three to level the score at 18. Tied at 20, Manhattan rattled the next 13 points to go up that margin with five minutes before the break. Harris snapped the could streak with a trifecta and the Crusaders cut the deficit to seven on a steal and layup by
Jason Makayabo with 3:42.
DCC trailed 40-30 at halftime and would never get the margin back to under double-digits in the second stanza. The Crusaders fought to keep things within striking distance at 13 points, but never could seem to get a long run going.
Other analytics show the Thunder held a 10-1 edge on second chance points, while DCC only was outdone 34-32 on points in the paint. Jordan Marshall was the top scorer on the night with 23 points for the Thunder and added 14 boards for a double-double. Jeff Butler contributed 13 points, and Isaiah Collier had a rare double-double in the form of 10 rebounds and assists.
Dallas Christian plays another regional opponent on Friday against Champion Christian College.
"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."
