Dillard Men’s Basketball Team Rolls to an 83-75 Home Victory Over Rust College on Thursday Evening

New Orleans – The Dillard men's basketball team (7-14, 2-2 GCAC) took a big first half lead and then had to survive a strong second half comeback by Rust College (10-11, 2-2 GCAC) to earn an 83-75 home victory at Dent Hall on Thursday, Feb. 3.

Dillard put three players in double figures and were led by 23 points from Rajhan Billingsley. Billingsley also had three rebounds plus a block and a steal. Kaleb Allison recorded 22 points and nine rebounds. Elijah Moore had a steady performance with 19 points, six assists and four rebounds. Nicholas Carmouche totaled seven points, eight assists, three steals and three rebounds. Jeremiah August totaled six points and a game-high 13 rebounds. Shemar Bates four points, four assists and four rebounds.  

For Rust College, Omar Garden had 17 points and five rebounds. Terrell Jenkins totaled 12 points. Keshon Tabb had 11 points and nine assists. Jordan Watkins had a near double-double of nine points and 10 rebounds.

Dillard shot 31-for-61 from the field (50.8 percent), 8-for-13 from three-point range (61.5 percent) and 13-for-21 from the free throw line (61.9 percent). The program also picked up 40 rebounds, 23 assists, two blocks and six steals. The Bearcats shot 27-for-64 from the field (42.2 percent), 9-for-24 (37.5 percent) from three-point range and 12-for-21 (52.6 percent) from the free throw line. Rust also totaled 37 rebounds, 22 assists, two blocks and six steals.

Dillard led at the half 44-31 and then withstood Rust putting up 44 in the second 20 minutes to their 39 in the 83-75 victory. DU largest lead in the contest was 23 points with just over eight minutes remaining.

The men's basketball team is next in action on Saturday, Feb. 5, when the program travels to Nashville, Tenn. to take on Fisk University at 5 p.m. The team then returns home to host Tougaloo College for the Bleu Devil Classic on Saturday, Feb. 12, at 7:30 p.m. at Dent Hall.

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