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Dillard University

DU loses to Belhaven in Conference Opener

January 8, 2010
New Orleans, LA - Dillard men's basketball dropped its Gulf Coast Athletic Conference opener 74-54 to the Blazers of Belhaven University, Thursday night at Dent Gym. The Bleu Devils (2-5, 0-1) were led by senior guard James Burkes with team-highs of 11 points and five rebounds.

Belhaven jumped ahead quickly and, by 14:43, had amassed 14-point lead, 17-3. After a series of substitutions by Dillard, head coach Dale Brown still could not find a formula to ward off the aggressive defense displayed by the Blazers. With time dwindling down in the first half, BU would go up by 13 twice. Field goals by Autrail Manning and DeCarlos Riley helped cut the lead to eight (26-34) going into the break.

In second half action, Belhaven did not let up and Dillard was only able to get the lead down to a single digit once more (31-40). Turnovers and poor defense wiped away any chance the Bleu Devils had of gaining control of the game. The Blazers grabbed everything they could off the boards, finishing with 40 rebounds - 27 on defense, while DU only scraped up a total of 26.

Manning would finish with 10 points for Dillard, along with a game-high five assists. Belhaven was led by Nathaniel Roche`, with a game-high 18 points. Rob Wallace followed with 12 and Larell Bailey chipped in 11. The Blazers are now 11-2 overall and 1-0 in conference.

The Bleu Devils will next play on January 9, when they host GCAC opponent the University of Mobile. Game time is 7 p.m. at Dent Gym.