DALLAS, Texas – The Dallas Christian College men's basketball team picked up a huge 76-65 victory on Tuesday night over Randall University. The Crusaders won consecutive matchups to an NCCAA Division II opponent and moved to 2-1 against Southwest Regional foes in the 2022 part of the year. This game was close throughout with each side gaining the lead in the first half. The Crusaders would never relinquish the lead after gaining it in the first, but did have to stave off a pair of ties by Randall in the second half before burying them late.
Tilyr Hobson shined in 31 minutes, which was the most by a DCC player on a night that had
Jairus Allen and
Joseph Allen hampered by foul trouble. Hobson led the Crusaders with a double-double on 22 points and 11 rebounds. This included six offensive rebounds and he also was 9-for-13 shooting from the field and 4-for-5 at the free throw line.
Jairus Allen still contributed 10 points, four rebounds, and a team-leading five assists in just 30 minutes on the night.
His brother,
Joseph Allen, had four points, rebounds, and assists. The freshman out of Marshall, Texas, stood out more significantly with three blocked shots. His streak of games with at least one reached 16. The DCC Student-Athlete Spotlight was recognized that same morning for having achieved a blocked shot in his past 15 games, including exhibitions with the likes of NCAA Division I programs – Tarleton State University, Northwestern State University, and Texas A&M University.
Micah Tucker was a significant part of the offense from the bench with a personal-best 15 points. He had a career-high last year at the ACCA Tournament with 13. The 5-10 guard out of Granbury, Texas, was a key cog for DCC's shorthanded group with 6-of-12 shooting from the field and 3-of-7 from behind the arc.
Tyjuan Battles also dropped three treys and was significant in the team's 11 made treys overall. Battles reached 11 points and reached six boards, four assists, and two steals.
The Crusaders shot 42 percent in the first half, second half, and overall. Until the team started being fouled late in the contest to force free throws, the Crusaders were 0-for-1 until the last minute and then hit 7-of-8 to seal the triumph. DCC was able to dish 22 assists, highlighted by
Jairus Allen,
Joseph Allen, Battles, and Tucker.
The Saints shot 48 percent in the first half, but were limited to 26.5 percent in the second to lead to an overall 35.6-clip. RU slumped from three-point territory at 4-for-22, but did go 19-for-25 at the charity stripe.
Malik Martin and Boog Lewis played all 40 minutes and were top performers on the guests. Martin scored a team-high 21 points and grabbed seven boards. Lewis posted 12 points and 10 boards for a double-double. James Thomas and Weston Arms scored 13 and 11 points, respectively to round out the double-digit scoring quartet.
While both teams had short benches in terms of subs, the Crusaders had a significant boost by 20 points (26-6). Tucker was a large part of it with all but nine points, but
Caleb Willis,
Jalen Perez, and
Kyle-Jared Malarchar all drilled key baskets. RU had a seven-man rotation and the duo from the bench combined for six points and rebounds.
Battles started the game with a triple in the first 20 seconds. After things were tied at 3, DCC got three quick baskets capped by a dunk by Hobson on a Battles' pass that was generated thanks to a steal.
When Hobson had the final basket to make it 11-5 around four minutes into playing, then DCC went cold and did not score for the next six minutes. Battles drilled a trey to knot things at 14 after the Saints had started to produce some momentum. The 6-1 guard from Fort Worth was able to hit his third trifecta of the frame to open a 19-14 edge. The scoring run reached seven, as Malarchar swiped a steal and found
Jairus Allen for the assist.
Jason Makayabo would hit the final basket for each team at 1:23 minutes left. DCC led 37-32.
Battles and Hobson combined for 21 points that frame with 11 and 10, respectively. Battles started getting on the boards more with his five second half rebounds. Hobson made his first five shot attempts and garnered seven rebounds in the last 20 minutes. Tucker had hit both three-point attempts in that stanza for the other significant scoring at that juncture.
Randall tied things right away in the second half at 37. Teams kept exchanging points, Tucker swished a trifecta and
Jairus Allen followed with a trifecta of his own to open a six-point lead. The lead never touched double-digits until the very end when the Crusaders were essentially icing the game. Hobson went 4-for-4 on free throws after Willis made a field goal to widen the gap at 8. In the last six minutes, DCC led by at least six points.
Dallas Christian has consecutive matchups with Southwestern Adventist University. In the next week. The team is slated to play on Saturday in Keene, Texas, at 9 p.m.
DCC is home next time on Tuesday, February 8. Tip-off is down for 7:30 p.m. or about 20 minutes from the conclusion of the women's basketball game.
"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."
