The Austin College women's basketball team trailed by just four at halftime but a big second half for Trinity allowed the Tigers to pull away and hand the 'Roos a 76-57 loss on Friday night in Hughey Gym. The 'Roos are now 7-9 overall and 1-5 in Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference play with the loss.
The 'Roos jumped out to a 7-2 lead in the first four minutes of the game, and after Trinity started to chip away at the margin, Erin Riley knocked down a pair of threes to make it 13-10 in favor of Austin College with 13:32 left before the break.
Another basket by Riley made it 17-15 three minutes later, but Trinity would use a 12-4 run to take a 27-19 lead with under three minutes before halftime. A pair of free throws by Murphy Burns made it 29-21 before back to back baskets from Brittany Stepanski cut it to a 29-25 deficit heading into the half.
After Trinity scored to open up the second half, Stepanski answered with a bucket of her own but two threes by Hannah Coley pushed the Tiger lead to 37-28 with 16:41 to play. Christina Kime scored seven in a row and Maddi Mendoza added a bucket to cut it to a 39-37 gamefive minutes later, but after another basket by Kime kept the 'Roos within four at 45-41, the Tigers would use a 20-6 run highlighted by four three pointers to pull away and put the game out of reach.
Kime would score eight straight Austin College points to end the game and finish with a season-high 21 points and added seven assists in the loss, while Stepanksi finished with 12 points, six rebounds, and four blocked shots.
Anecia Richardson led the Tigers with 18 points, Burns added 17, and Coley finished with 16 points and five assists to lead Trinity. The Tigers had 17 offensive rebounds and knocked down 10 threes in the game, while the 'Roos committed 22 turnovers.
The 'Roos will be looking to rebound tomorrow when they host Southwestern University with tipoff set for 6:00 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.