'Roo Men Fall to Texas-Tyler

SHERMAN, Texas – The Austin College men's basketball team got a double-double from Michael Holland and four players reached double-digits in the scoring column, but the University of Texas-Tyler used 52 points in the paint to top the 'Roos 92-81 on Wednesday afternoon in Hughey Gym. The 'Roos are now 1-3 overall on the year.

Kam Hogan led the 'Roos with 15 points and Justice Mercadel added 14 points, six rebounds, and six assists, while Holland scored 12 points and grabbed 13 boards. However, the Patriots grabbed 16 offensive rebounds and shot 50% from the field for the game, with Emeka Obukwelu scoring 27 points and pulling down 12 rebounds to pace UT-Tyler.

The 'Roos fell behind 19-10 midway through the first half before Josh Garrett buried a three pointer, but the Patriots would go on top 25-13 on a basket by Melvin Anthony with 9:33 left before the break. Austin College would respond with an 18-3 run, including scoring 12 in a row after the Patriots had taken a 30-21 lead on a three from Chase Mason.

Four points from Mercadel put Austin College on top 33-30, and after UTT regained the lead, Kameron Hill's jumper put the 'Roos back on top 35-34. Texas-Tyler would answer with seven unanswered points to end the half, however, and take a 41-35 advantage into halftime.

The Patriots attempted to pull away through the first several minutes of the second half, but Austin College responded each time, with a free throw by Zachary Nickens cutting it to a 50-47 game. Mason knocked down a triple for UT-Tyler, and after a bucket by Nickens, the Patriots would go on a 15-6 run to open up a 68-53 lead with 10:44 left.

Texas-Tyler would get their largest lead of the game at 75-58 with 8:44 remaining, but Austin College refused to go away with a pair of threes from Josh Hardwick capping a mini-run to pull the 'Roos to within 11 at 82-71 with 4:45 left. Hardwick's three with under a minute left trimmed it to a 91-81 game, but that's as close as it would get.

Hogan hit 7-of-13 shots and Mercadel made 6-of-15, while Holland knocked down 4-of-8, including 2-of-4 from long range. Nickens chipped in 12 points off the bench, and Hardwick made 3-of-5 treys to finish with nine points.

Obukwelu made 13-of-16 shots from the floor, and five of his 12 rebounds came on the offensive glass. Anthony scored 13 points and added eight rebounds and six assists, and Mason finished with 12 points for the Patriots. 

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