SHERMAN, Texas –The University of Dallas shot 56.3% from the field and 60% from long range and the Austin College men's basketball team was unable to keep pace, as the 'Roos fell 87-70 on Tuesday night in Hughey Gym. The 'Roos are now 7-12 overall and 3-7 in Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference play.
All five starters for Austin College got into double figures in the scoring column, but cold shooting doomed the 'Roos. After taking a 25-18 lead midway through the first half, Austin College would go the final 9:16 of the half without a point as Dallas closed on a 17-0 run. The Crusaders would take a 35-25 lead into halftime, with Austin College missing its last 16 shots in the first half.
The lead quickly grew to 39-25 early in the second half before Austin College snapped its cold streak with a bucket by Jaylyn Cleamons at the 18:54 mark, but Dallas went on top 44-27 just over a minute later. Austin College tried to chip away at the Dallas lead, but each time they did the Crusaders had an answer. After Devin Roland knocked down a three to cut it to 47-35, Dallas responded with five straight to push it back to a 17-point game.
Derek Lockman and Chanston Goodman hit back-to-back threes to pull the 'Roos within 10 points at 61-51, but a 6-0 burst for Dallas made it 67-51 with 5:41 left to play. Roland would later score four straight to get the margin back down to 10 at 72-62 with 2:20 remaining, but that's as close as things would get.
Kam Hogan scored 13 points and added six rebounds, five steals, and four assists, and Michael Holland added 12 points, eight rebounds, and six assists. Cleamons chipped in 12, and Roland and Kameron Hill each scored 11 in the loss.
Michael Wambsganss led all scorers with 29 points, hitting 8-of-12 from the field and 4-of-5 from long range, and also grabbed a game-high 10 rebounds. John Russell had a double-double with 12 points and 10 boards, and Dustin Mathis added 13 points, seven assists, and five rebounds.
Austin College will be looking to bounce back on Friday as the 'Roos head to San Antonio to take on Trinity University in another SCAC matchup.
Austin College athletic teams participate as a member of the NCAA Division III and the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference.