SHERMAN, Texas – The Austin College men's basketball team battled to the end but it wasn't quite enough in the team's final game of the season, as the 'Roos fell 83-78 to Centenary on Saturday evening in Hughey Gym. The 'Roos wrap up the season with an overall record of 4-21 and a Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference mark of 2-12.
Justice Mercadel led five Austin College scorers in double figures with 20 points, and the 'Roos led 47-40 at halftime after forcing Centenary into 15 first half turnovers. Centenary's Travion Kirkendoll scored 20 of his 22 points after halftime, however, to lead the Gents in the come from behind victory to spoil Senior Night for Austin College.
Austin College trailed 15-9 just over five minutes into the game before a three-point play from JP Feider put the 'Roos on top 16-15, and the lead grew to 20-15 as Feider made two free throws to cap off an 11-0 run. A three from Austin Wells and a bucket by Kameron Hill pushed the Austin College lead to 29-20 midway through the first half. A dunk by Josh Quinn put the 'Roos ahead 34-24, and after Centenary pulled to within three, Austin College closed the half with a 7-3 run to make it 47-40 at the break.
Austin College extended the lead back to double-figures early in the second half, and JP Feider's basket gave the 'Roos their largest lead at 63-51 with 12:08 to play. However, Kirkendoll and Treylan Matthews ignited a 15-2 run punctuated by an alley-oop from Matthews to Kirkendoll to take a 66-65 lead with eight minutes remaining. Centenary eventually went ahead 80-74 before baskets from Quinn and Kam Hogan pulled Austin College to within two points with 43 seconds left but that's as close as things would get the rest of the way.
Mercadel hit 9-of-18 shots to get to 20 points and added five steals, and Hogan finished with 15 points and three assists. Quinn scored 12 to go with five rebounds, Michael Holland had 10 points and seven boards, and Feider added 10 points off the bench.
Matthews hit 10-of-15 shots to lead all scorers with 26 points, adding six assists, and Kirkendoll made 9-of-11 shots to score 22 to go with eight rebounds and four steals. Kaharri Carter added 18 points and 10 rebounds for the Gents.
Austin College athletic teams participate as a member of the NCAA Division III and the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference.