'Roos Drop Road Decision at JWU

DENVER, Colo. - The Austin College men's basketball team got more than 20 points from three different players but it wasn't quite enough in a 95-88 loss to Johnson & Wales University on Friday night. The 'Roos are now 5-7 overall and 1-2 in Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference play.

Devin Roland scored 23, Kam Hogan had 22, and Michael Holland contributed 21 points in the loss for the 'Roos, who fell behind 48-37 at halftime before their second half comeback bid came up short. The Wildcats out-scored Austin College 30-13 from the free throw line and used a 44-32 rebounding advantage to hand the 'Roos the loss. Roland hit 9-of-16 shots and grabbed four rebounds, while Hogan knocked down 10-of-16 from the field, including 2-of-4 from deep, and added three assists.

Holland scored 15 of his 21 in the second half, and Justice Mercadel chipped in eight points, four assists, and a team-best nine rebounds but managed to knock down just 2-of-16 shots. Derek Lockman came off the bench to score nine points on 3-of-5 shooting from beyond the arc. Austin College shot 44.7% from the field overall, while Johnson & Wales got 30 points from Jontrell Herman and shot 47.5% from the floor. Andrew Romero had a double-double for the Wildcats, scoring 23 points with a game-best 13 rebounds.

Austin College will be looking to bounce back on Saturday as the 'Roos take on Colorado College in another SCAC contest. Tip-time is set for 7:30 p.m. Mountain time.