'Roo Women Fall to TLU in Overtime

SHERMAN, Texas – The Austin College women's basketball team battled back from an eight point, fourth quarter deficit to force overtime but the 'Roos would fall to Texas Lutheran University 75-68 in the extra frame on Friday night. The 'Roos are now 12-5 overall and 4-2 in Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference play.

TLU jumped out to a quick lead to start the game but Austin College got a three from Mikayla Gascich and back-to-back triples from Ann Savage to grab a 14-11 edge with 3:39 left in the opening quarter. The Bulldogs would regain the lead late in the quarter, but Kendall Heitmeier's bucket with four seconds on the clock squared things at 19 apiece after one.

Austin College got four quick points from Heitmeier early in the second quarter as they took a 27-23 lead, but Texas Lutheran would close the first half with an 11-3 run to head into the locker room leading the 'Roos 34-30.

A three from Savage and a basket by Caitlyn Collins helped Austin College regain the lead at 42-38 with 4:15 left in the third quarter, but TLU's Cierra Jordan and Bailey Champion would combine for 10 points as the Bulldogs went on top 48-43 with 1:27 on the clock. Texas Lutheran would head into the fourth quarter leading 52-46 following a buzzer beating putback by Madison Ray.

The TLU lead grew to 57-49 on a three pointer by Tara Molina with 7:57 left in the game, but Austin College would battle back with a 12-3 run, retaking the lead at 61-60 on a basket by Bryce Frank with 3:05 left to play. The teams would trade baskets and after things were knotted at 63 apiece, Kristen Lye scored inside for TLU but Collins answered with a driving layup to tie things up again.

The Bulldogs would miss a pair of free throws, giving Austin College the last chance at a win in regulation, but the 'Roos missed a pair of opportunities in the final seconds to send the game into overtime. Jordan opened up the overtime period with a three pointer and the Bulldogs would control play throughout the extra frame, handing Austin College the seven point loss.

Heitmeier scored 17 points and grabbed eight rebounds and Frank added 15 points and eight boards to pace the 'Roos. Savage finished with 12 points and five assists, and Collins came off the bench to chip in 10 points in the loss.

Savannah Hight led all scorers with 22 points and grabbed 12 rebounds, and Lye finished with 13 points and 13 boards. Jordan added 13 for the Bulldogs, who owned a 22-6 edge in points off of turnovers and a 16-1 advantage in second chance points for the game.

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