Turnovers Doom 'Roos at Colorado College

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - The Austin College men's basketball team turned the ball over 28 times, leading to 34 points for Colorado College as the Tigers won the second half to hand the 'Roos an 88-80 loss on Friday night. The 'Roos are now 3-7 overall and 0-3 in Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference play.

The 'Roos got out to a quick start behind seven early points from Devin Roland, taking a 9-3 lead, and Justice Mercadel scored four points in the final 30 seconds to put Austin College ahead 43-40 at halftime after the Tigers had battled back to gain the lead. However, Colorado College used a huge advantage at the free throw line, coupled with the Austin College turnovers, to pull away down the stretch. The Tigers outscored Austin College 31-to-11 from the charity stripe, and the Colorado College bench outscored the 'Roos 28-to-15.

Colorado College shot 51.9% from the field after halftime, while Austin College hit 39.4% of its attempts in the second half as the Tigers took control late in the game. Four players reached double figures in the scoring column for Austin College, led by 20 for Roland on 8-of-15 shooting. Roland also had eight rebounds. Mercadel chipped in 14 points, and Kameron Hill knocked down 4-of-10 threes on his way to 13 points. Luke Brumbaugh contributed 10 points and eight rebounds, and Michael Holland flirted with a triple double, scoring eight points, grabbing nine rebounds, and dishing out eight assists in the loss.

Austin College will be looking to bounce back on Saturday as they head to Denver to take on Johnson & Wales in another conference tilt.