'Roo Women Fall Short in Quarterfinal Matchup with Trinity

Photo by Joe Fusco | D3Photography.com
Photo by Joe Fusco | D3Photography.com

The Austin College women's basketball team took it down to the wire against No. 3-seed Trinity University, but the 'Roos could not quite overcome the Tigers in a 63-56 loss on Friday afternoon in the SCAC Tournament Quarterfinals. The 'Roos finish the season with an overall record of 11-15.

After falling behind 12-5 early, Austin College battled back to trim it to a 14-12 game with 10:11 left in the opening half. Trinity pushed the margin back to seven at 24-17, but Kendall Heitmeier scored four quick points and Erin Riley swished her second three pointer of the half to tie things at 24 before the Tigers scored with 16 seconds left in the opening frame to head into the locker room leading Austin College 26-24.

Trinity scored the first bucket of the second half before the 'Roos used a 9-2 run to take a 33-30 lead with 16:35 left to play, and after Trinity fought back to take a 38-35 lead, Christina Kime knocked down a pair of threes and Olivia Bailey hit a driving basket to put Austin College up 43-38 with 11:11 remaining. 

Trinity pushed ahead 52-50 with 4:37 left, but Heitmeier scored and Christina Kime added a pair of free throws to put Austin College on top 54-52 with 3:20 left to play. Trinity would counter with a bucket by Hannah Coley and a three from Lauren Splawn to take a 57-54 lead, and after a tough basket in the paint by Kime made it 57-56 with 1:04 remaining, Trinity would score the final six points of the game to hand the 'Roos the first round loss.

Kime hit 6-of-9 shots overall and 3-of-6 from deep to finish with 17 points, adding four rebounds and three assists in her final game for the 'Roos. Heitmeier finished wtih 16 points and added three rebounds, and Brianna Harvey added nine points, seven boards, and three assists in the loss.

Splawn and Anecia Richardson each finished with 14 points to lead Trinity, as the Tigers used 13 offensive rebounds and knocked down 10 three pointers to hold off Austin College's upset bid.