SHERMAN, Texas – The Austin College women's basketball team overcame some cold shooting and got points when it mattered, topping the University of Dallas 64-61 in overtime on Saturday. The win brings the team's overall record to 17-7, including 11-3 in Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference play.
Austin College shot just 29.4% from the field but managed 10-of-21 shooting from long distance to edge the Crusaders, as Kali Vittallo buried 5-of-7 three pointers on her way to a team-high 18 points.
The 'Roos knocked down their first two triples of the game to go up 6-3 just over a minute into the first quarter, but wouldn't score again until Kelly Lynch knocked down a pair of free throws with 1:24 on the clock to make it a 10-8 game with Dallas on top. The Crusaders would end the first quarter leading 12-10.
The lead grew to 14-10 before five straight for Austin College gave the lead back to the 'Roos, and a three from Olivia Bailey made it 18-14 with 3:57 left before halftime. The 'Roos took a 20-16 lead on another bucket by Bailey with 3:24 left, but once again Austin College went cold, going two and a half minutes without another point until Bryce Frank hit two free throws to make it 22-18 with 1:03 left. Olivia Cicci buried a three to put the 'Roos up 25-20 but Dallas answered with a Seana Stoia triple with six seconds left to make it a two point game at the break.
Vittallo hit two threes in the third quarter to help Austin College take a 37-30 lead, but UD's Lindsey Gendron answered with two triples of her own to cut it to a one point game with 2:02 left in the quarter. The 'Roos would close the quarter on a 7-0 run, with Bailey scoring the final five points to make it 44-36 with Austin College ahead entering the fourth.
After a Chrissy Ray basket made it 46-38 with 9:20 left in regulation, Dallas would use a 9-0 run to take a 47-46 lead with 6:22 remaining. Katie Gowdy put the 'Roos back on top briefly, but the Crusaders took a 53-49 lead on a basket by Michelle DeCoud with 2:27 left. Vittallo knocked down a trey, and then hit 1-of-2 free throws to square things at 53 with 55 seconds to play, and after Stoia hit two free throws, Vittallo drew a foul with 19 seconds left and answered to force overtime with the score tied at 55 apiece.
Vittallo and Kendall Heitmeier each hit a three for Austin College to put the 'Roos ahead 61-59 with 2:47 left, but DeCoud scored to tie things with 1:20 on the clock. However, Bri Harvey would knock down two free throws and Meghan Lewis would add one late to give Austin College the 64-61 win.
Vittallo added seven rebounds and two steals to go with her 18 points, and Heitmeier finished with 18 points, nine rebounds, and four assists. Bailey added 12 points and eight rebounds, and Frank handed out seven assists.
DeCoud finished with a game-high 28 points and 16 rebounds, and Stoia added 19 points. Holly Tonry grabbed 14 rebounds and handed out five assists for the Crusaders.
Austin College wraps up the regular season tomorrow with Senior Day against Rust College, with tip time set for 1:00 p.m.