SAN ANTONIO, Texas – Trailing by 13 points with five minutes to play, Whitworth was able to cut the margin to five, but got no closer in an 88-79 loss to Texas-Dallas on the second day of the Leslie Robinson Classic on Saturday at Trinity University.

The Pirates fall to 3-1 with their first loss of the season while the Comets improve to 4-1.

Kyle Roach scored 30 points for Whitworth, but the Pirates made only 54% (14-26) of their free throws and were outrebounded (40-20) for the first time this season.

Whitworth took a 22-15 first half lead after five straight points by Kevin Crosno.  The Comets rallied to go up 30-29 on two free throws from Kevin Forster.  UTD led 43-40 at halftime after shooting 54% (15-28) in the first half.

Whitworth opened the second half with an 18-6 run, grabbing a 58-49 lead on a Crosno layup.  The Pirates could not sustain the momentum.  The Comets answered with a 16-2 run of their own to take a 65-60 lead with under ten minutes to play.  When Xavier Ferrell drilled a three-pointer with 5:04 to play, UTD led 82-69.  Jared Christy answered with a three for Whitworth and Bucs eventually got within 84-79 with just under a minute to play after Christy made one of two free throws. 

UTD ran off over 30 seconds on the next possession and Ferrell scored to put the game away. 

Ben College and Jordan Lester scored 17 points each for Whitworth.  Lester led the Bucs with seven rebounds and seven assists.

Dimitrius Underwood scored 29 points and grabbed 11 rebounds for the Comets.  Hans Burwitz and Jalen Weber added 14 apiece.

The Pirates will return to action next weekend by opening Northwest Conference play at home against Willamette and Pacific (Ore.).