HOBBS, N.M. – Senior Jim Coleman scored a team-high of 18 points and had eight rebounds, but St. Thomas-Houston defeated University of the Southwest 87-82 Saturday afternoon at the Maddox Student Life Center in Red River Athletic Conference play.

USW (4-9, 2-2 RRAC) started out strong and held a 38-35 halftime lead.

The Celts (6-5, 1-3 RRAC) came back in the second half and outscored the Mustangs 52-44

Senior David Blaylock added 15 points and was 4-for-4 at the free-throw line. Senior Marcelious Green chipped in 14 points and was 4-for-5 at the free throw line. Senior Jeffrey Long added eight points and handed out four assists. Junior Ron'Quis Lewis contributed nine points and two assists.

Coming off the bench, sophomore Emmanuel McNeil chipped in eight points and eight rebounds and narrowly missed the double-double. Senior Xavier Hodge added seven points and two rebounds. Freshman Derrick Hall scored two points and added a rebound.

The contest was evenly matched and there were 11 lead changes and the game was tied five times.

For the game, USW shot 53 percent (31-for-59) from the field, while St. Thomas hit 48 percent (32-for-66) of its shots.

The Mustangs return to action next Tuesday and host Dallas Christian College in a non-conference game at the Maddox Student Life Center.