The University of North Texas at Dallas men and women scored late season victories over Central Christian at Singing Hills Recreation Center Thursday (Feb. 10) evening. For the host Trailblazers, there was some good, a little bad, and it was certainly sometimes ugly.
     First, the good news:  For the second game in a row, Josh Howard's men's team put on an impressive display of high-speed basketball to dominate its opponent.  Only a late surge by the Kansas visitors narrowed the final score to 66-59. Midway through the second half UNTD had upped its lead to as much as 19. Earlier in the season the Trailblazers had defeated CCU by 10. 
     The win moved the hosts into a 5-12 tie with Central Christian in the Sooner Athletic Conference standings with just two games remaining before post-season tournament brackets are announced. It was earlier announced that all SAC teams will compete in the tournament due to the large number of games canceled due to COVID difficulties during the early part of the regular season.
     Larry Rusk led the Trailblazers scoring with 20 as UNTD hit 40 percent from the floor and won the rebound edge, 43-38.
     The women's game matched two depleted squads badly in need of a win.  Due to defections, injuries, and grade difficulties, both teams suited up only seven players. UNTD came into the game with a seven-game losing streak. Central Christian was 1-23 for the season and hadn't won a conference game in 17 starts.
     With forward Mykayla Dumas returning to form, scoring 24, and Zyunn Cormier and Delyssa Miller adding 20 each, the Trailblazers won, 77-64, to improve their conference record to 5-14 and won their 11th game of the season. Miller led the rebounding with 14.
       It wasn't easy, however. Central Christian, paced by Destiny Broussard's 19, led by as much as nine early in the second quarter.
       The women close out their regular season at 2 p.m. Saturday (Feb. 12) when they host Langston University at Singing Hills. The men's game will follow at 4 p.m.
       Then, on Monday (Feb. 14) at 6 p.m. the men will host Mid-America Christian in a make-up game that will bring their regular seasond to a close.