San Antonio – The Tiger men's basketball team opened up the 2017-18 season with a 63-51 home loss to the University of Texas-Dallas on Tuesday.

GAME SUMMARY

Trinity was held to less than 30% shooting in the game, though the Tiger defense also kept the Comets under 33% as well. The two teams both made 19 total field goals, but UT-Dallas had nine three-pointers and 16 free throws - nearly double what Trinity had in both categories.

The last lead of the game for the Tigers came on a three-pointer in the first five minutes of action, putting Trinity in front 7-6 at the time. Texas-Dallas got a bucket on its next possession, then later turned a three-point lead into a 22-12 advantage with seven straight points.

The Tigers made it a five-point game in the last minute of the first half, but UT-Dallas hit a three-pointer just before the buzzer to take a 30-22 lead into the break.

The Comets scored another three on their first possession after halftime, pushing the lead back to double figures. Trinity got to within eight points (35-27) with just over 17 minutes remaining, but would get no closer the rest of the way.

Trinity was out-rebounded 52-36 in the game, and UT-Dallas hit 16-23 from the foul line. The Tigers were 8-10 at the line, but connected on just 5-22 from three-point range.

NOTABLES

Trinity lost in its opening game for the fifth time in the last six seasons, though the Tigers did beat UT-Dallas 75-56 in last year's season opener.

Matt Jones finished with nine points to lead the Tigers, while Danny Rivara finished with seven points and a game-high eight rebounds.

Jones also had three assists and two steals and entered the season third in career assists and 10th in career steals. He needs 29 more assists to break the record set by William Young (2011-15) and is one of just 11 players in school history with 100 or more steals in a career.

Stephen Molina was one of three Tiger players to score eight points in the game. Jayden Holden and Isaiah Specks came off the bench with eight points each, while Brian Blum also came off the bench with seven points scored. 

UP NEXT

Trinity hits the road for the Midway Classic in Chicago, Illinois, this weekend. The Tigers take on Rose-Hulman (IN) Institute of Technology on Friday, followed by a game against host University of Chicago on Sunday afternoon.