Preview: Dillard Looks to Sweep Season Series Against Huston-Tillotson

AUSTIN, Texas (Interstat) — The Dillard Bleu Devils and Huston-Tillotson Rams will meet for the second time this season in an NAIA men’s basketball matchup Saturday at Mary E. Branch Gymnasium.

Tipoff is set for Jan. 17, 2026, with the visiting Bleu Devils (5-7) aiming for a regular-season sweep after defeating the Rams 81-66 in New Orleans on Nov. 22. The home-standing Rams (4-6) seek to even the score and improve their conference standing.

Both teams enter following divergent results in their last outings. Dillard is looking to rebound from a 51-75 road loss at Tougaloo on Jan. 8. In that game, guard Shane Davis led the Bleu Devils with 8 points, 3 rebounds and 4 assists in 26 minutes. Davis’s production has fluctuated; he was limited to just 6 minutes and one rebound in a Jan. 5 loss to William Carey.

Huston-Tillotson arrives with momentum after a narrow 71-69 home victory over Wiley on Jan. 10. Rams guard Isaiah Halliburton was instrumental in the win, playing 38 minutes and posting a team-high 17 points along with 5 rebounds and 4 assists. Halliburton also contributed 8 points and 4 assists in a loss to Philander Smith two days prior.

The Rams’ win over Wiley snapped a two-game skid. Their season has been marked by close contests, with three games requiring overtime. Dillard has also experienced tight finishes, including an overtime win over Paul Quinn in November.

Defensively, Huston-Tillotson’s Kemondreon Cansler poses a significant rim-protecting threat, recording 7 blocks in the win over Wiley. Dillard will counter with the interior presence of John Kelly III, who had 7 rebounds and a block against Tougaloo.

The game represents a key early conference opportunity for both teams to build momentum. Following this contest, Dillard begins a three-game homestand on Jan. 22 against Tougaloo. Huston-Tillotson hits the road for its next two games, starting Jan. 22 at Philander Smith.