ST. LOUIS, Mo. - The Austin College women's basketball team overcame a slow start to upset No. 13-ranked Washington University on their home court in the championship game of the McWilliams Classic on Saturday night. The 'Roos are now 4-4 overall on the year.
Bryce Frank was named the McWilliams Classic MVP after scoring 30 points and grabbing 15 rebounds, both of which are season-bests, to help the 'Roos to the victory. WashU built a 17-7 lead after the first quarter as Frank faced foul trouble and the 'Roos struggled to get anything going offensively, but a 15-point outburst from Frank in the second quarter pulled Austin College to within two points at the half, heading into the locker room trailing 33-31. The momentum continued into the second half, as Austin College opened the third quarter with an 11-3 run to open up a 42-36 lead after a bucket by Meghan Lewis.
The Bears got it back to a one-point game at 44-43 but Kacie West made a pair of triples and Ann Savage knocked down a three of her own as Austin College out-scored WashU 19-7 the rest of the way, heading into the fourth leading 63-50 as Frank beat the buzzer with a layup. The Austin College lead grew to as many as 15 points at 71-55 on two free throws by Frank with just under six minutes left to play, but the Bears pulled to within six at 71-65 with two minutes to play.
However, that's as close as things would get, and an Addy Walling three pointer to make it 77-66 with a minute to play proved to be a dagger for the 'Roos. The Bears hit a trio of three pointers in the closing moments but Austin College made its free throws down the stretch to hang on for the win.
Frank hit 12-of-26 field goals and 6-of-8 free throws, coming up just one point shy of tying the McWilliams Classic single-game scoring record. Savage was named to the All-Tournament team after scoring 15 points, grabbing six rebounds, and handing out five assists, and Walling added 13 points, seven boards, and four assists.
Natalie Orr and Madeline Homoly each scored 17 points to lead the Bears.