'Roo Women's Hoops Tops University of Dallas

The Austin College women's basketball team led by as many as 18 points and held on for a 60-50 victory over the visiting University of Dallas on Friday night, bringing the team's overall record to 8-10 and Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference mark to 2-6. The 'Roos have now doubled their win total from a year ago. 

The Crusaders jumped out to a 9-5 lead early on but the 'Roos responded with a 16-2 run highlighted by three Erin Riley triples to make it 21-11 with 9:51 left before halftime. Brittany Stepanski scored six straight for Austin College to push the margin to 27-15, and after the Crusaders pulled to within 10, a Lexi Beeson jumper made it 31-19 heading into the break. 

Another Riley three pointer made it a 37-26 game with 15:52 left to play, but a 10-3 run including a four point play by Kylie Yoshimura cut the deficit to 40-36 with 12:49 on the clock. However, Christina Kime buried a three, Stepanski scored in the post, and Kime added two free throws to end the UD run and push the lead back into double digits at 47-36 two minutes later. 

Stepanski scored eight straight as the deficit grew to 55-38, and after a free throw from Kime and a basket by Riley, the 'Roos had their biggest lead of the game at 58-40 with 3:20 left to play and they would hold off a late push by the Crusaders to earn the double digit victory. 

Stepanski notched a double-double with 18 points and 10 rebounds and added four blocked shots, and Riley hit 4-of-7 threes on her way to 14 points, eight rebounds, and three assists. 

Yoshimura led all scorers with 19 points and Brooke Hagemann added 16 points and eight boards in the loss for UD. 

The 'Roos will be looking for another victory on Sunday when they host Colorado College with tip time set for 12:00 p.m. 

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.