Turnovers Prove Too Costly for 'Roo Women

SHERMAN, Texas – The Austin College women's basketball team had 24 turnovers and hit just 13-of-25 free throws, and a third quarter run by the University of Texas-Dallas proved to be the difference as the Comets handed the 'Roos a 57-50 loss on Wednesday afternoon. The 'Roos are now 6-3 overall on the year with the defeat.

Both teams struggled offensively throughout the game, as neither team managed to get to 40% from the field in the opening half. Texas-Dallas took a 15-11 lead after the first quarter, and the lead grew to 21-12 early in the second before Kendall Heitmeier buried a trey to jumpstart a 13-2 run. Ann Savage's three pointer gave the 'Roos a 24-23 lead, with Heitmeier knocking down a free throw to make it a 25-23 edge for Austin College with 1:32 left before halftime. 

The teams would trade free throws, and UTD's Micaela Gonzalez scored with 24 seconds left to make it a 27-27 game at the break.

Olivia Bailey scored five in a row for Austin College to start the second half as the 'Roos took a 32-29 lead, but after a bucket by Heitmeier to make it 34-31 with 5:08 left in the quarter, the Comets would use a 13-2 run of their own to grab a 44-36 lead. Bailey's runner in the lane pulled Austin College to within six at 44-38 heading into the fourth quarter.

Caitlyn Collins scored to keep Austin College within striking distance at 46-40 early in the fourth, but a quick 5-0 run for UTD gave the Comets their largest lead of the game at 51-40 with 6:17 left to play. Collins scored six of the next 10 for the 'Roos to get the deficit as low as five points at 55-50 with 1:11 to play, but that's as close as things would get.

Collins finished with 16 points on 7-of-13 shooting to pace Austin College, which ended the game hitting just 36.2% from the field. Heitmeier added 10 points and six rebounds, and Bailey scored nine and added a pair of steals. The 'Roos saw 14 of their turnovers come in the second half.

Alyssa Crockett led all scorers with 23 points for UTD, and Gonzalez finished with 12 points. Kayla Reinhart grabbed a game-high 10 rebounds and chipped in nine points.

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