'Roo Men Edged by Southwestern in Final Seconds

The Austin College men's basketball team fought back from a 14 point deficit and took a late one point lead, but two free throws for Southwestern gave the Pirates an 86-85 win over the 'Roos on Friday night in Georgetown. The loss is the second in a row for Austin College, by a combined total of three points. The 'Roos are now 10-2 overall and 0-2 in Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference play.

Southwestern led for almost the entire game, jumping out to a 7-2 lead and keeping the 'Roos at bay each time Austin College fought back to within striking distance of going in front. Austin College pulled to within one at 19-18 with 10:09 left in the opening half, but the Pirates scored nine unanswered. The 'Roos would get back to within four at 34-30, but Southwestern closed the half strong to lead the 43-35 at the break.

In the second half, the 'Roos once again trimmed the margin to four at 49-45 with 16:56 left to play, but a 13-3 run by Southwestern gave the Pirates their largest lead of the game at 62-48 with 14:15 on the clock. Alan Sullivan's three and Brian Baehl's layup capped off a good run by the 'Roos to get the score to 65-62 with 10:07 left, but again Southwestern countered and extended the lead to 70-64.

Both sides traded baskets down the stretch with Austin College pulling to within a single point twice, before Baehl's free throws with 19 seconds to play gave the 'Roos their first and only lead of the game. However, it would be short lived as Southwestern drew a foul with just four seconds to play and got both free throws to make it an 86-85 loss for Austin College.

Baehl finished with 23 points to lead all scorers, hitting 11-of-12 from the free throw line. Jeremy Swisher hit 2-of-3 three pointers on his way to 18 points and eight rebounds, and Josh Dickerman chipped in 13 points while Sullivan finished with 11.