SHERMAN, Texas – The Austin College men's basketball team trailed by as much as 16 but fought back and had a chance to tie at the buzzer, but Brian Baehl's last second shot just missed and the 'Roos fell to Colorado College 61-58 on Saturday night in Hughey Gym. The 'Roos are now 10-5 overall and 0-5 in Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference play.
The Tigers jumped out to a quick 7-2 lead before Alan Sullivan scored seven quick points to pull Austin College to within one at 10-9 with 13:41 on the clock, but eight straight for Colorado College made it an 18-9 game with 10:17 left. After a pair of Baehl free throws made it 23-15, the Tigers would go on a 9-1 run to extend the margin to 32-16 with 4:15 remaining in the opening half.
Sullivan scored four quick points, and after a Colorado College three made it 35-22, Josh Dickerman knocked down a pair of three pointers before the half to help the 'Roos get the margin under double digits. Colorado College would get the last bucket of the half to head into the break leading Austin College 37-28.
Austin College came roaring back to start the second half, with Sullivan hitting back to back threes and Cedric Hudson scoring to make it a 37-36 game, and a triple from Jeremy Swisher gave Austin College its first lead of the game at 39-38 with 15:32 left to play. The 'Roos pushed the lead to 43-39, but a three point play from James Lonergan, a follow dunk on a missed jumper from John Hatch, and a trey from Hatch gave the Tigers a 52-49 lead with 8:20 to play.
The 'Roos would tie things up at 53 with 5:21 to play, but a 6-2 run by Colorado College made it a 59-55 game with 44 seconds remaining. Two free throws from Swisher pulled Austin College to within one at 59-58 with 17 seconds left, and after two free throws from Colorado College, Baehl had one final look at the buzzer, but his turnaround three pointer hit the back iron as time expired.
Sullivan hit 3-of-7 threes and 5-of-13 shots overall to finish with 19 points to lead the 'Roos, adding seven rebounds in the loss. Baehl finished with 15 points and seven assists as the only other Austin College player to reach double figures.
Hatch and Lonergan each scored 14 for Colorado College, with Hatch adding nine rebounds and five blocked shots and Lonergan chipping in eight rebounds.
Austin College is home again next weekend when they host Schreiner University on Friday and Trinity University on Saturday. Saturday will also be Alumni Day for the 'Roos, with an alumni game taking place at 12:00 p.m.
Austin College athletic teams participate as a member of the NCAA Division III and the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference.