Women's Hoops Wins Defensive Struggle against Hendrix

The Austin College women's basketball team held Hendrix to just 22.2% shooting on its way to a 46-39 victory on Tuesday afternoon, bring the team's record to 5-7 overall this season. Erin Riley scored 11 points to lead the 'Roos in the victory. 

Austin College used some hot three point shooting to jump out to an 18-13 lead, with Riley knocking down three treys while Christina Kime added a pair in the first nine minutes of action. Hendrix battled back to square things at 20 with 6:06 left before halftime, but the 'Roos used a 9-1 run over the final four minutes to head into the locker room leading 29-21. 

The Warriors scored eight straight to open up the second half, capped off by a triple from Caitlin Kriesel-Bigler to knot things at 29, but Riley and Kime scored to put Austin College back on top just moments later. The Austin College lead grew to double figures on a pair of baskets by Brittany Stepanksi, a reverse layup by Lexi Beeson, and two free throws from Maddi Mendoza to make it 44-33, and a bucket in the paint by Kime made it 46-34 with 2:05 to play and the 'Roos would hold off Hendrix from there for the victory. 

Riley knocked down 3-of-7 threes on her way to 11 points and added six boards and Kime finished with 10 points and four assists in the victory as the only two Austin College players in double figures. Mendoza scored nine points in the win as 30 of Austin College's 46 points came from the bench. 

Jamie Tate recorded a double-double for Hendrix, scoring 13 points and grabbing 16 rebounds, and Kriesel-Bigler finished with 12 points and six assists in the loss. 

The 'Roos are now off until December 30, when they host Agnes Scott at 1:00 p.m. in Hughey Gym. 

Austin College athletic teams participate as a member of the NCAA Division III and the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference. 

About Austin College 

Austin College is a leading national independent liberal arts college located north of Dallas in Sherman, Texas. Founded in 1849, making it the oldest institution of higher education in Texas operating under original charter and name, the college is related by covenant to the Presbyterian Church (USA). Recognized nationally for academic excellence in the areas of international education, pre-professional training, and leadership studies, Austin College is one of 40 schools profiled in Loren Pope's influential book Colleges that Change Lives.