The UTD women’s and men’s basketball teams earned exciting victories against East Baptist University on Jan. 12 at their first away game of the year.

After losing to the Cru on Jan. 7, the men’s basketball team came back with a knock-out victory, winning 75-69 against East Texas Baptist University’s Tigers. Similarly, the women’s basketball team brought back a decisive defense that carried them through the game, winning 77-55 against the Tigers. Both teams will continue onto the American Southwest Conference finals, which are Feb. 23 to 25.

Kicking off the women’s game in the Ornelas Gymnasium, the Comets overwhelmed the Tigers in their own court, reaching a score of 5-3 in the ASC. The Comets broke their season records for both three pointers and free throws, making 22 out of 53 attempted three- pointers and 17 out of 19 attempted free throws. The Comets opened the first half of the game with an impenetrable defense and relentless lead, leading to an offensive rampage of 28 points in the third quarter. The Tigers adapted for counter actions in the fourth quarter and scored several layups, but they were unable to catch up to the Comets’ lead.

Sophomore Cierra Trigg secured the most scores between both teams, breaking eight personal career records in this game alone. Most notably, Trigg achieved eight spotlight rebounds and scored three three-pointers in only 35 minutes. This victory brought the Comets to tie for third place standing with East Texas Baptist University and Sul Ross State University. UTD previously lost to Sul Ross State on Dec. 3 and is slated to rematch Jan. 19 in an away game.

The men’s game served as a critical tie breaker between the Comets and Tigers, who were both in line for first place in the ASC. Despite winning by a six-point lead, the Comets actually underperformed in terms of scores, making 28 out of 70 attempted field goals and 7 out of 20 three-pointers and 12 out of 18 attempted free throws by the end of the second half.

Graduate student Kyle Poershcke made a three-pointer within the first five seconds of the game. After the Tigers scored a jumpshot, the men’s team built up a 22-point lead by the last three minutes of the first half. The Tigers came back with a 16-point score in the second half but were ultimately unable to overcome the Comets’ lead, as sophomore Luke Kiser scored two free throws in the last second of the game.

Poershcke scored a game high of 25 points with five rebounds. Computer science senior Will Isaac returned to the court to score nine points from field goals, support with nine assists, securing a block in the second half and making a career best with a pair of steals.

While UTD currently holds first place, East Texas Baptist University, the University of May-Hardin Baylor and Concordia University Texas are just behind them in second.