Cold Second Half Shooting Dooms 'Roos against Trinity

SHERMAN, Texas – The Austin College women's basketball team led visiting Trinity University 34-30 early in the second half but the 'Roos went ice cold from the field, scoring just 14 points the rest of the way in a 64-48 loss on Friday evening in Hughey Gym. The 'Roos are now 5-7 overall and 0-2 in Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference play.

The Tigers got out to a hot start from beyond the arc, with Lauren Splawn knocking down a pair of threes early to put Trinity ahead 8-2. The 'Roos scored the next five, but Trinity answered with a 7-0 run to go on top 15-7 on a Caitlin Barrett three pointer with 15:16 left in the opening half. The 'Roos came back to tie things up after three pointers from Kali Vittallo and Katie Gowdy highlighted an 8-0 run, but the Tigers responded with another run and a Splawn three pointer made it 23-17 with 6:16 on the clock.

After a three from Erin Riley cut it to a 26-24 game, three free throws from Anecia Richardson pushed the Tiger lead to 29-24 before four free throws from Vittallo and a layup by Riley helped Austin College close on a 6-1 run to send the teams into the break knotted at 30-30.

Brianna Harvey and Kendall Heitmeier each scored to open the second half and give the 'Roos a 34-30 lead with 18:38 left, but Hannah Coley and Splawn each hit a pair of threes as the Tigers went on a 14-1 run to grab a 44-35 lead with 13:56 remaining. A three pointer from Riley helped pull the 'Roos to within five at 48-43, but that's as close as the 'Roos would get the rest of the way.

Austin College would muster just five points over the game's final eight and a half minutes, while the Tigers knocked down their free throws down the stretch to extend the lead and hand the 'Roos a 64-48 defeat.

Riley finished with 13 points, hitting 3-of-7 threes, and grabbed a game-high 12 rebounds in the loss. Heitmeier finished with nine points, and Vittallo and Chrissy Ray each chipped in seven for the 'Roos.

Richardson finished with 19 points, 10 rebounds, and five blocks for the Tigers, while Splawn finished with 17 and Coley added 16 points and five assists.

Austin College will be looking to bounce back tomorrow when they host Schreiner University at 4:00 p.m.

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