SHERMAN, Texas – The Austin College men's basketball team led by as much as 13 but had to hold off a late charge from Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference rival University of Dallas to earn a 69-68 win on Saturday afternoon. The 'Roos are now 5-6 overall and 1-0 in conference play.

Dallas jumped out to a quick 7-4 lead but a Jeremy Swisher three pointer gave Austin College its first lead at 8-7. Dallas would use an 8-2 run to take a 15-10 lead, but free throws from Swisher and Brian Baehl and four quick points from Alan Sullivan brought the 'Roos even at 21-21 with 5:51 left in the opening half.

Four points from Swisher gave the 'Roos a 27-24 lead, and after Kym Malone scored to give the Crusaders a 30-29 lead with 48 seconds left, Josh Dickerman knocked down a jumper to send Austin College into the locker room holding a 31-30 edge.

Sullivan knocked down a three and Alvin Michael and Swisher scored to push it to a 38-30 lead early in the second half, but the Crusaders would fight back and grab a 40-39 lead on a Tom Kaiser layup with 13:36 left to play. Dickerman knocked down a three to give Austin College a 46-42 lead, and after the Crusaders pulled to within three at 48-45, Baehl and Swisher scored to make it a 52-45 game with 10 minutes left.

Eghosa Igbinosa scored four straight as Austin College built a double digit lead at 58-48, and five more points from Swisher helped give Austin College its biggest lead of the game at 66-53 with 4:19 remaining. Dallas would answer when Aaron Wyatt and Malone combined to score 10 straight to cut it to a 66-63 'Roo lead with 1:42 left.

Swisher hit three free throws to push the margin to 69-63 with 38 seconds left, and after a Michael Sarrat three cut it to a 69-68 game with 26 seconds left the Crusaders forced a turnover and Wyatt had a look from 18 feet but came up short, allowing Austin College to escape with the win.

Swisher scored 22 points and grabbed six rebounds to lead the 'Roos while adding three steals and two assists. Sullivan finished with 11 and added four boards, and Cedric Hudson chipped in 10 points and six rebounds off the bench. Baehl finished with nine points and three assists in the win.

Wyatt led the Crusaders with 21 points and 10 rebounds, and Malone added 16 points, five boards, and four assists.

Austin College athletic teams participate as a member of the NCAA Division III and the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference.