SHERMAN, Texas - The Austin College women's basketball team withstood a hot shooting performance by Rhodes and hounded the Lynx into 28 turnovers on their way to an 89-79 victory in the season opener for the 'Roos on Sunday afternoon in Hughey Gym.
Austin College got out to a fast start behind 11 early points from Kacie West, and the 'Roos found themselves on top 17-9 with just under five minutes to play in the opening quarter. Rhodes started getting hot from long range, however, and pulled to within two at 19-17 with 2:21 on the clock. Andrea Selkow and Reagan Chiaverini scored late in the quarter to keep the 'Roos ahead 23-19 after one.
The Lynx caught fire in the second quarter, knocking down 9-of-11 shots on their way to 23 points in the frame, making it 44-42 in favor of Austin College at halftime. The 'Roos managed to maintain their lead in spite of the 81.8% shooting for Rhodes by forcing the Lynx into eight turnovers in the quarter, and Chiaverini scored in the closing seconds of the half to keep Austin College ahead.
Two quick three pointers early in the third gave Rhodes its first lead of the game at 48-46, and after four straight points from Ally Longaker the Lynx got another triple to go back on top 51-50. The 'Roos would respond with a 13-1 run, taking their first double digit lead of the game at 63-52 with 2:30 left in the quarter. The Lynx chipped away at the deficit and pulled to within five before Chiaverini beat the buzzer to give Austin College a 65-58 lead heading into the fourth.
The 'Roos started to pull away in the fourth quarter behind three pointers from Ann Savage and West to get the margin back to double digits, and a triple from Addison Walling with under two minutes remaining pushed the lead to 87-72 and sealed the victory.
West led the 'Roos with 21 points on 7-of-14 shooting, and Savage knocked down 5-of-9 shots, including 3-of-5 from deep, to scored 15 points while adding seven assists and four steals. All five Austin College starters notched double digits in the scoring column, with Chiaverini and Longaker each scoring 14 while Walling finished with 12. Chiaverini added eight boards, four assists, and three steals.
Alli Mayeux led Rhodes with 21 points on 8-of-13 shooting and Alyssa Owens added 16 points, eight assists, and six rebounds in defeat.
The 'Roos are off until November 23, when they head on the road to Conway, Arkansas to take on Hendrix.