IRVING, Texas - The Austin College men's basketball team overcame a 14-point halftime deficit to earn a 66-61 victory at the University of Dallas on Wednesday, picking up their first Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference win of the year. The 'Roos are now 5-5 overall and 1-1 in SCAC play.
The 'Roos were ice-cold offensively for most of the first half, shooting just 32.3% from the field and hitting 2-of-13 threes while getting out-rebounded 28-16. Dallas led by as many as 17 points in the opening half at 31-14 with 4:07 left before halftime, but the 'Roos would make a run and cut it to 35-24 on a triple from Justice Mercadel. However, UD's Joshua Nunn hit a buzzer-beater from halfcourt to send the Crusaders into the locker room leading 38-24.
The Dallas lead grew to 42-24 early in the second half, but Austin College used a 23-5 run to square things up at 47 apiece with 12:36 left to play. Devin Roland's three put the 'Roos on top 50-47, and after Dallas fought back to take a 58-56 lead with just over four minutes remaining, Roland knocked down a jumper and Jaylyn Cleamons scored inside to put Austin College ahead 60-58 with under two minutes to play. The Crusaders scored to tie things up once more, but Mercadel countered with a basket and Michael Holland added one of his own to help seal the victory.
Holland finished with 20 points and 10 rebounds, while Roland scored 16 in the victory. Holland scored 15 of his points after halftime, while 12 of Roland's points also came in the second half. Mercadel finished with nine points and Derek Lockman chipped in eight.