Bryce Hayes
SEGUIN, Texas — A 19-point double-double by Xavier Phillips (Austin/Dripping Springs) and a strong effort from Mason Green (San Marcos/San Marcos) helped propel Texas Lutheran to an 85-66 victory over Sul Ross State Tuesday night in the regular season opener at Memorial Gymnasium.The win was the first in the tenure of new Texas Lutheran head coach Austin Falke. With the win, Texas Lutheran won its first home opener and regular season opener since 2016’s, 86-84, home opening win over Mary Hardin-Baylor.
Texas Lutheran converted 53.4-percent (31-58) from the floor. TLU registered an 18-9 advantage in fastbreak points and a 27-16 margin in points off turnovers during the contest. The Bulldogs allowed just 10 assists while forcing 18 Sul Ross State turnovers.
Phillips converted 8-of-13 field goals and two-of-three free throws while adding 13 rebounds, five steals, and a block in 32 minutes. Senior Mason Green posted 19 points (6-9 FG, 4-6 3PT), five rebounds and a team-best three blocks in 32 minutes. Sophomore Riley Fornerette (Surprise, Ariz./Dysart) tallied 16 points (3-6 3PT) and a team-high four assists in 21 minutes, and freshman Jordan Dunn (Del Valle/Del Valle) recorded 10 points (4-6 FB, 2-3 FT), three rebounds, and a block in his TLU debut.
Texas Lutheran led by as many as ten points in the first half and would never relinquish the lead in the second half stretching their lead to as large as 21 points.
Texas Lutheran visits former American Southwest Conference foe, Hardin-Simmons, Friday night at 7:30 PM at Mabee Complex in Abilene. All streaming and live stats links will be available on tlubulldogs.com.
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