'Roo Women Pull Away Late for Win over Tigers

The Austin College women's basketball team used a 14-4 run over the final three minutes to pull away from visiting Colorado College and hand the Tigers a 61-49 loss on Sunday afternoon in Hughey Gym. The 'Roos are now 9-10 overall and 3-6 in Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference play. 

Christina Kime got the 'Roos off to a strong start with a pair of threes to open things up, but Colorado College used an 11-1 run to take a 13-7 lead with 14:29 left in the first half. The lead grew to 18-11 three minutes later, but Erin Riley and Brianna Harvey combined for six quick points to pull the team within one. 

The 'Roos regained the lead at the 7:50 mark on a jumper by Riley to make it 21-20, and a three pointer by Riley pushed the lead to 24-20. The 'Roos would lead by four two more times the rest of the half before heading into the locker room with a 28-26 edge. 

Colorado College scored the first basket of the second half to square things up, but the 'Roos answered with a 12-0 run highlighted by threes from Shayna Clardy and Kime to make it 40-28 with 14:58 left in the game. The Tigers battled back with Courtney Tyus hitting a three to make it a 42-38 game, and after the 'Roos briefly pushed the lead back to six before Colorado College closed to within two at 47-45 with just under three minutes remaining. 

However, that's when Riley would knock down another three, and Brittany Stepanski's three point play on the next possession pushed it to a 53-45 game with 1:11 remaining. The 'Roos hit eight free throws over the game's final 54 seconds to seal the victory. 

Riley led four Austin College players in double figures with 17 points and also added six rebounds. Kime added 13, Clardy finished with 11, and Stepanski recorded her second straight double-double with 10 points and 12 assists and also added three blocked shots. 

Marissa Gradoz led the Tigers with 15 points and added eight rebounds, Sarah Gunkel scored 13, and Tyus finished with 11. 

Austin College is back in action on Saturday when they host Centenary College in the team's final home game of the regular season with tip time set for 3:00 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.