SHERMAN, Texas – The Austin College men's basketball team had two players post double-doubles, but that wasn't enough as the 'Roos fell 92-78 to LeTourneau on Tuesday night in Hughey Gym. The 'Roos are now 0-1 to open the year.
Austin Freet had 17 points and 11 rebounds, Jeremy Swisher had 15 points and 12 boards, and Brian Baehl just missed out on a double-double of his own with 15 points and nine rebounds in the loss. The 'Roos knocked down just 2-of-13 three pointers in the game, while LeTourneau shot 38.9% from long range and 45.5% overall.
After falling behind 12-6 early, the 'Roos grabbed a 13-12 lead after a layup by Stephen Igbinosa with 14:37 left in the opening half. However, LeTourneau responded with a 13-0 run to grab a 25-13 lead with 12:19 on the clock, and the lead grew to as much as 21 points after a pair of free throws by Caleb Loggins made it 49-28 with 3:20 left before the break.
Austin College closed the half strong, with Austin Wells scoring five straight and Brian Baehl knocking down a baseline jumper right before halftime to make it 49-38 heading into the locker room.
LeTourneau opened its lead back up early in the second half, using an 8-2 run in the first two and a half minutes to make it 57-40. The margin once again grew to 20 on a Caylab Herrera basket with 12:27 left to make it 69-49, and after Austin College managed to fight back to make it 73-62 on a Josh Dickerman three pointer, the Jackets pushed the lead to 82-67 with 2:28 left. Austin College was unable to get the margin back under 12 points the rest of the way.
Baehl added four assists in the loss, and four of Freet's rebounds came on the offensive glass. Christian Chiles came off the bench to chip in seven points and three assists, as Austin College shot just 40.8% from the field and 60.9% from the free throw line.
Sam Talbert scored 19 points for LeTourneau to lead all scorers, and Bryson Erby added 18 points, five rebounds, and four assists. Herrera finished with 15 points and seven boards, and Jeff Martin handed out a game-high six assists.
Austin College will be looking to bounce back this weekend when they take on Millsaps and Hendrix as part of the SAA/SCAC Crossover in Jackson, Mississippi on Saturday and Sunday.
Austin College athletic teams participate as a member of the NCAA Division III and the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference.