IRVING, TX (01.26.11) -- The UT Dallas men's basketball team took advantage of the shortest trip in its recent eight-game road swing, jumping on a struggling University of Dallas team early and often on their way to a 72-44 non-conference win.

The Comets (13-5 overall) scored the first seven points out of the gate and never looked back, building as much as a 27-point lead on their way to their fifth win in the eight games since they last played on their home court. The UTD Activity Center has been shut down since Dec. 20 while new bleachers were installed.

UTD completely dominated the undermanned Crusaders (2-16) early, connecting on 53 percent of their first-half shots (17-of-32) and nailing seven three-pointers before intermission. The Comets led 43-21 at the half. Only after substituting freely in the second period did the offense cool off, as UTD finished at 47.5 percent (29-of-51) with just three second-period threes.

UD had no answer as the Comet defense completely shut down the Crusader attack, allowing only 18-of-63 shooting (28.6 percent) from the floor. UTD held UD's leading scorer – 6-7 freshman post Ross Davidson – to just six points. Davidson had to be helped off the court late in the game after suffering a leg injury.

Though they just scored 29 points in the second period, the Comets still finished with big nights from Chris Barnes (18 points, 8 rebounds) and a double-double from freshman Kyle Schleigh (13 points, 15 rebounds). Freshman reserve Dmitriy Chernikov had his biggest game of the year, scoring 10 points, while sophomore Reese Dahse was a perfect 3-for-3 on first-half three-pointers and finished with nine points..

UD did get 15 points out of the hard-driving Barrett Brown, but had no one else finish in double figures.

UTD finished with a 49-33 edge in rebounding and a 31-6 advantage in scoring off the bench.

The Comets return to American Southwest Conference action with a big ASC East Division showdown Saturday afternoon. UTD, which is just one-half game behind East Texas Baptist in second place, could take over the division lead when they host first-place Tigers at 3 pm.