Men's Hoops Falls to St. Thomas

SHERMAN, Texas - The Austin College men's basketball team dropped an 82-68 decision to SCAC-leading St. Thomas on Friday, bringing the 'Roos to 5-17 overall and 2-11 in conference play on the year.

Austin College got 13 points apiece from Rex King and Jaylyn Cleamons, but foul trouble plagued Austin College throughout as four players, including three starters, fouled out during the course of the game. The Celts took advantage, making 25 free throws compared to 10 for the 'Roos. St. Thomas also dominated the glass, holding a 49-36 advantage on the backboards with 19 of those rebounds coming on the offensive end. The Celts turned those opportunities into 22 second chance points, with Austin College only scoring six second chance points. 

The 'Roos out-shot St. Thomas overall, however, hitting 44.3% from the field on 27-of-61 attempts, with the Celts making just 24-of-64 shots for clip of 37.5% from the field. Nine of those made field goals for St. Thomas came from beyond the arc, though, with the 'Roos making just four shots from long range. The Celts built a 35-24 halftime lead, and ended up growing the margin to as many as 21 points before Austin College started to chip away down the stretch to make it a 14-point final deficit.

Cleamons hit 5-of-12 shots and grabbed five rebounds to go along with his 13 points, and King came off the bench to make 6-of-10 shots while adding three boards. Chase Antosca scored nine points and pulled down eight rebounds coming off the bench. Freddie Ricks paced St. Thomas with 18 points.