'Roo Women Can't Overcome Offensive Woes against 'Neers

SHERMAN, Texas – The Austin College women's basketball team struggled offensively, and Schreiner University scored 20 points off of turnovers to hand the 'Roos a 60-51 loss on Saturday afternoon in Hughey Gym. The 'Roos have dropped four straight and are now 5-8 overall and 0-3 in Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference play.

Schreiner jumped out to a 9-2 lead early on following a three from Codi Simmons, but Kali Vittallo scored five straight to help the 'Roos pull to within two with 13:24 left in the opening half. Christina Kime knocked down a three pointer to bring it to a 16-12 game with the Mountaineers on top, but Schreiner responded with an 11-2 run capped off by a three from Kelsie Jackson to make it a 27-14 game with 4:21 left before the break.

Brianna Harvey scored for Austin College and Erin Riley knocked down a pair of threes to bring Austin College back to within four at 29-24 with 1:10 left, but Jordyn Villa scored for Schreiner and Riley's last second three point attempt rimmed out at the buzzer, making it a 31-24 Mountaineer lead at halftime.

Austin College pulled to within five at 34-29 early in the second half on a three from Kime, but a 14-4 run by Schreiner would give the Mountaineers their largest lead of the game at 48-33 with 9:25 left to play. A bucket from Harvey and a three from Olivia Cicci cut it to a 48-38 game, and another trey from Riley, along with baskets from Vittallo and Kime would pull the 'Roos to within six points at 51-45 with 3:26 left to play.

Four more points from Riley would make it a 53-49 game with just  under two minutes left in the game, but that's as close as Austin College would get as the Mountaineers would close the game on a 7-2 run with all seven points coming at the free throw line.

Riley finished with 15 points, hitting 3-of-7 three pointers, and added six rebounds to lead the 'Roos. Her third three pointer pushed her past 1,000 career points, joining Kime as the second 'Roo to reach that milestone this season. Kime finished with 12 points, six rebounds, and three assists, and Harvey finished with 10 points and six boards.

Austin College was limited to just 28.1% shooting from the field, including 29.2% shooting from three point range, and the 'Roos also struggled from the free throw line, where they hit just 8-of-15 shots.

Jackson led Schreiner with 14 points, 12 rebounds, and four assists, Brooke Sanders chipped in 13 points and 10 rebounds, and Villa finished with 12 points for the Mountaineers.

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