DENVER, Colo. – The Regis University Men's Basketball team earned their first win of the season with a wild 97-93 win over the University of Texas-Dallas on Saturday evening. The Rangers improve to 1-3, while the Comets fall to 0-4.

HOW IT HAPPENED

The Rangers would start the match with three threes, coming from Luke Soden, Myles Shields, and Matt Yost, but they still trailed early, 17-9. Soden followed that with the fourth three for RU in the game, and a dunk assisted by Logan Flores-Peoples. Shields scored in the paint and assisted a Gunner Walters three as Regis cut into the lead, and a Dylan Forbord layup assisted by Yost gave the Rangers a 27-26 lead. Cooper Frith earned a few trips to the line, putting in six free throws, but the Comets Jared Robins hit a late three to even the score at 40-40 going into halftime.

Soden stayed hot into the second half, converting a four-point play and scoring in the paint as the teams traded leads. That's when Frith would take over, scoring the next 21 points for the Rangers, including a three-pointer and an and-one. After his streak, he assisted a Shields layup, and the Rangers pushed their lead to 11. However, late in the game, as Regis led, 89-83, a third Ranger would foul out, leading RU with just four players for the final 1:25 of game time. Flores-Peoples scored on a fastbreak, converted two free throws, while Dylan Forbord put in the two free throws that pushed it to a two possession game, and Regis held on for the 97-93 win.

"We knew he had to defend without fouling," said head coach Rex Walters, "and be smart since we were undersized. A few different guys came in with huge free throws at the end, and we executed plays well."

"We have been though a lot lately with injuries, so I was really proud and happy for these guys. We played some tough teams to start the year, and its nice to learn though winning like tonight."

GAME NOTES

·         Frith posted 38 points, the seventh-highest total in Ranger history

·         Frith broke a 58-year record, making 22 free throws in the contest.

·         Soden added 20 points and six rebounds, and Shields recorded 13 points, two blocks, and a steal

·         Walters dished eight assists

·         The Rangers shot 57% / 53% / 88% splits

·         Four Comets scored in double-figures, led by Jordan Balderaz with 17 and eight rebounds

·         UTD outrebounded RU, 42-24

UP NEXT

The Rangers return to the hardwood on Saturday, November 29 at NCAA DI Northern Colorado, tip-off set for 3 pm.