Austin College Comes Up Short Against Dallas

SHERMAN, Texas - The Austin College men's basketball team had a chance to tie the game late but the University of Dallas held off the 'Roos in the closing seconds, handing Austin College a 69-65 defeat on Saturday evening in Hughey Gym. The 'Roos finish the year with a record of 9-16.

Joshua Joe scored 16 points and added six assists and four rebounds and Tristan Dick chipped in eight points and seven boards, but Dallas dominated on the glass with a 51-37 advantage, getting 17 points and 19 boards from Letrell Touissant and 24 points and 16 rebounds from Jack Boyle on their way to topping the 'Roos. Austin College led 35-31 at halftime after Chase Antosca beat the buzzer with a triple to give the 'Roos the momentum heading into the break, but Dallas scored the first 10 points of the second half to surge ahead 41-35.

The Crusaders managed to hold their lead over the next several minutes before Austin College came back to pull within two at 49-47, and after Dallas went back on top 59-53 the 'Roos used a 9-2 run capped off by a jumper from Joe to go on top 62-61 with 3:06 left in the game. The lead would be short-lived, however, as Boyle knocked down a pair of free throws to put the Crusaders back on top and Toussaint scored with 1:04 left to push it to 67-62. Joe knocked down a three pointer with 36 seconds left to cut it to a 67-65 game, and the 'Roos would get one last chance to tie things up after the Crusaders made it 68-65 but Dick's three pointer missed with six seconds left.

Austin College hit eight threes compared to just three for the Crusaders, but Dallas outscored the 'Roos 18-9 from the free throw line and 21-13 in second chance points, and that proved to be the difference in the game.