'Roos Hold Off Arlington Baptist

SHERMAN, Texas - The Austin College men's basketball team led by as many as 22 points and held off a late surge by Arlington Baptist University on Thursday, topping the Patriots 83-74 to improve to 4-9 overall on the season.

The 'Roos poured in 50 first half points and got double-digit scoring from four players, led by 16 from Jackson Rennie and a 15 point, 14 rebound performance by Jason Jones. Austin College scored first and never trailed in the game, and the score was never tied throughout its 40 minutes of game action. An early three from Jaylyn Cleamons made it 9-3 and the 'Roos would take their first double digit lead at 24-14 on a bucket by Jones with 10:46 on the clock. ABU cut it to a 24-18 game, but Austin College responded with an 8-0 run to make it 32-18 and the 'Roos would head into halftime leading 50-33.

Austin College shot 55.6% from the field in the opening half while Arlington Baptist made just 30.6%, as both teams turned the ball over frequently with the Patriots giving it away 16 times while the 'Roos turned it over 11 times in the opening frame. That sloppy ballhandling would continue into the second half, as ABU gave it away 13 times compared to 15 second half turnovers for the 'Roos. Arlington Baptist shot 47.1% from the field while the 'Roos hit just 38.7% of their shots, but Austin College was able to hold on for the victory.

Rennie hit 4-of-12 three point attempts on his way to 16 points, and Jones made 7-of-8 field goal attempts to record the double-double. Rennie dished out six assists, while Jones had four steals and three assists in the win. Cleamons added 12 points, five boards, three assists, and three steals, and Chase Antosca chipped in 12 points. Chanston Goodman handed out five assists to go with seven points and five rebounds. Arlington Baptist's Trey Ballard had a game-high 18 points.