'Roos Fall in Final Minute to Trinity

SHERMAN, Texas –The Austin College men's basketball team led Trinity University for most of the game but the Tigers knocked down six free throws in the final 45 seconds of action to take the lead and hold off the 'Roos 75-71 on Tuesday evening in Hughey Gym. The 'Roos are now 4-5 overall and 0-1 in Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference play.

Trinity got out to a fast start, going on top 17-7 just over six minutes into the game. The 'Roos would respond with a 12-2 run to square things up, capped off by a three from Kam Hogan with 10:22 left before halftime. Derek Lockman's three at the 9:44 mark gave Austin College it first lead of the game at 22-21, and the 'Roos would go up 28-23 on a bucket by Devin Roland just over four minutes later.

After a three from Kameron Hill put Austin College ahead 35-30 with less than two minutes before the break, Trinity would respond with a 5-0 run to even things up at halftime.

Trinity took the lead back early in the second half, with AJ Clark scoring three quick points to make it 38-35. Justice Mercadel knocked down a three and Roland completed a three-point play to help the 'Roos go back ahead 43-40, and after Clark squared things with a three, the 'Roos would regain the momentum and a three from Lockman made it 50-45 with 14:57 left.

The Austin College lead grew to 59-53 on a basket by Michal Holland, but the Tigers would begin to chip away and eventually even things up at 63 apiece with 3:58 to play. Hill buried a three from the corner to give the lead back to the 'Roos, but a basket by Isaiah Specks put the Tigers ahead 69-68 with 1:20 left. Roland knocked down a jumper in the paint to put Austin College back on top, but Danny Rivara nailed a pair of free throws on the next trip for Trinity and he and Specks would combine for four more down the stretch to make it a 75-71 final.

Roland finished with 16 points to lead Austin College offensively, and Holland had a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds. Hogan finished with 10 points, and Mercadel had seven points, 11 rebounds, and five assists.

Rivara led the Tigers with 16 points and nine rebounds, and Specks added 15 on 6-of-10 shooting. Aaron Knopp had 11 points and Tyler Peavy added 10 for Trinity.

Austin College will be looking to bounce back tomorrow as they head to Irving to take on the University of Dallas with tipoff set for 4:00 p.m.   

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