SHERMAN, Texas – Hendrix College used a 13-0 run to start the second half and Austin College was never quite able to recover, falling 63-56 on Saturday afternoon in Hughey Gym. The 'Roos are now 5-2 overall this season after dropping their second straight.
The 'Roos, who had rallied from a big fourth quarter deficit on the road at Hendrix earlier in the season, found themselves trailing 54-40 heading into the final quarter of action and pulled to within four points with 28 seconds left, but were unable to pull off their second comeback win over the Warriors. The 'Roos struggled on the glass, being out-rebounded 56-31 in the game, and hit just 17-of-32 free throws on the day.
Austin College grabbed a 15-13 first quarter lead with Katie Gowdy burying a three pointer just before time expired in the opening frame, and the lead grew to 18-13 early in the second quarter before Hendrix scored six in a row to take a 19-18 advantage with 6:39 left in the half. Kali Vittallo knocked down a three to put Austin College back on top, and the teams traded baskets until a Sara Dyslin bucket with 2:09 left put the Warriors on top 26-25.
Hendrix would not relinquish the lead the rest of the game, heading into the locker room with a 31-28 cushion and scoring 13 unanswered to open the third quarter and take a 44-28 lead with 5:02 on the clock. It was more than five minutes into the third quarter when Vittallo scored to break the cold streak and make it 44-30, but every time Austin College started to chip away the Warriors would answer.
Cait Kriesel-Bigler knocked down a pair of threes to extend the Hendrix lead to 54-37 with 53 seconds left in the quarter, and Austin College would hit three free throws to head into the final period trailing by 14 points. Five quick points from Brianna Harvey to open the fourth quarter pulled Austin College to within single digits, and Meghan Lewis scored five points of her own to cut it to a 57-51 game with 5:05 left to play.
Kendall Heitmeier's three point play with 28 seconds left cut it to a 60-56 game, but the Warriors knocked down three free throws and Austin College was unable to get anything else going on offense in the game's final moments.
Heitmeier, Harvey, and Bryce Frank all scored 10 points to lead Austin College, with Harvey adding seven boards and Heitmeier handing out a game-high four assists. Katie Gowdy chipped in nine points, and Chrissy Ray swatted five shots for Austin College.
Kriesel-Bigler led all scorers with 22 points, and Dyslin added nine points, eight rebounds, and three blocks. Heather Prowse had a game-high 12 rebounds for Hendrix.
Austin College athletic teams participate as a member of the NCAA Division III and the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference.