'Roo Women Outlast Colorado College to Stay Perfect

Photo by Charlie Lengal III
Photo by Charlie Lengal III

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - The Austin College women's basketball team overcame a slow start and pulled away late to hand Colorado College a 77-69 loss and remain one of only 10 unbeaten teams in NCAA Division III women's basketball on Friday evening. The 'Roos are now 10-0 overall and 3-0 in Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference play.

Colorado native Reagan Chiaverini led the way for Austin College, knocking down all three of her three-point attempts and scoring 13 of her team-best 17 points in the first half as four 'Roos reached double figures in the scoring column. The 'Roos fell behind 21-15 after the first quarter, in which they shot just 35.3% from the field compared to 52.9% shooting for the Tigers, but Austin College won each of the last three quarters to chip away and then overtake Colorado College. A last second three from Chiaverini put Austin College ahead 31-29 at halftime.

The 'Roos pushed their lead to as many as 11 points in the second half, and after Colorado College squared things up at 64 with under five minutes to play, Natalie McCoy and Sarah Gwin combined for the next 12 Austin College points as the 'Roos went ahead 76-66. Gwin's triple with 30 seconds left capped off that run and put the game away for the 'Roos.

Gwin came off the bench to score 14 points, while Addison Walling and Kacie West each scored 11. Walling led the 'Roos with seven rebounds, and Ann Savage added nine points and five assists. The 'Roos committed just five turnovers in the game while forcing Colorado College into 16. 

Austin College will be looking to keep its unbeaten streak going on Saturday night as they travel to Denver to take on Johnson & Wales University in another SCAC matchup.