'Roos Hold Off Late Charge to Stay Unbeaten

SHERMAN, Texas – The Austin College men's basketball led by as much as 21 and held off a late run by visiting Bacone College on Saturday night, topping the Warriors 85-72 to improve to 6-0 on the year.

The 'Roos fell behind early, as the Warriors jumped out to a 14-9 lead with 13:07 left to play in the first half. After a Josh Dickerman jumper cut it to a 14-13 game, the Warriors scored four quick points to make it an 18-13 contest with 10:17 left on the clock. However, that's when the 'Roos started to take charge, going on a 33-7 run over the next 10 minutes of action to go on top 46-25 with 44 seconds left to play in the opening half. Bacone would cut into the lead with two late threes, including a double-clutch triple from Nick Anderson with two seconds left to make it 48-31 at halftime. 

Austin College maintained its big lead early in the second half, with 10 points from Stephen Igbinosa in the first 3:20 coming out of the break to make it a 60-39 game. Bacone started chipping away at the lead starting with a three from Landon Smoote, kicking off a 17-8 run that pulled the Warriors to within 12 at 68-56 with 11:42 left to play. 

Bacone kept fighting back, with Brandon Chatman knocking down a pair of jumpers and Corey Swift hitting a three to pull the Warriors to within seven at 73-66 with 6:21 left, and Bacone would get to within five before a three-point-play from Austin Freet would help push the game back to double digits at 80-70 with 2:02 left, and the 'Roos would coast to the victory from there.

Freet hit 7-of-11 shots from the field to finish with 19 points and 15 rebounds to lead the 'Roos as all five starters reached double figures. Igbinosa finished just shy of a double-double with 18 points and nine rebounds, adding five blocks in the win. Cedric Hudson chipped in 14 points, and Brian Baehl flirted with a triple-double, scoring 11 points, grabbing eight rebounds, and handing out seven assists. Alan Sullivan added 10 points and six boards in the win.

Chatman and Swift each scored 16 for Bacone, with Smoote adding 15 and Jordan Metoyer scoring 10 off the bench for the Warriors. Austin College used a 56-33 rebounding edge and scored 38 points in the paint to help secure the win.

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