Houston, Texas - The University of St. Thomas men's basketball team tipped off their season with a convincing 2nd half performance and an exciting homecoming victory, defeating the LeTourneau Yellowjackets 85-70. The win was extra sweet since the Yellowjackets beat UST 72-69 in last year's thrilling season opener in Longview. The win showcased a lot of new faces and balanced contributions from the new-look Celts, who took control in the second half.

The game remained tight in the opening half, with both teams battling for momentum. The Celts managed a 38-31 lead at halftime, thanks partly to standout performances by seniors Andrew Adebo and Marion Williams, who contributed on both ends with scoring and defensive stops.

Leading the way for the Celts was Adebo, who finished with 17 points, eight rebounds, and three assists while shooting a perfect 2-for-2 from three-point range. Sophomore Nicholas Buffalo added a crucial 17 points on 7-for-9 shooting while bringing defensive energy off the bench. Marion Williams chipped in 11 points, including two three-pointers, while CK Egbo provided some late-game fireworks with six points on a perfect 2-for-2 from beyond the arc.

As soon as the second half started, St. Thomas increased its defensive intensity, went on an 11-2 run, extending its 7-point halftime lead to 49-33, and never looked back. For the game, UST shot 49% from the field and 47% from 3 (9-19), helping it widen the gap and secure its season-opening victory.
Up Next

The Celts next travel to Brownwood, TX, to play Howard Payne University on Nov. 16 at 7 PM. For more updates, follow ustmbasketball on Instagram or visit ustcelts.com.