'Roo Men's Hoops Climbs Past Mountaineers

KERRVILLE, Texas - For the second Friday in a row the Austin College men's basketball team found itself in a double-digit halftime hole, but the 'Roos used a big run to open the second half on their way to coming from behind for a 77-69 victory over Schreiner. The 'Roos have now won six in a row and are 12-8 overall, including a 9-4 mark in Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference play.

The 'Roos trailed 43-28 at halftime against the Mountaineers, but a 19-2 run to open the second half put Austin College on top 47-45 with 12:51 left to play. Schreiner would regain the lead and go ahead 55-51, but a pair of free throws by Justice Mercadel put the 'Roos back on top 57-55 with 8:12 on the clock and they wouldn't trail again the rest of the way. Austin College poured in 49 points after halftime, while holding Schreiner to just 26.

Devin Roland knocked down all eight of his free throw attempts on his way to a game-high 17 points and Michael Holland added 14 points and a career-best 18 rebounds. Kam Hogan came off the bench to score 14, and Mercadel added 11 points and nine boards. Austin College shot just 36.5% from the field and made only 4-of-20 three pointers, but grabbed 22 offensive rebounds, including 11 from Holand alone, and forced Schreiner into 22 turnovers in the game. 

Austin College is back in action on Saturday as they take on Trinity University in San Antonio with tip time set for 4:00 p.m.