'Roos Hold Off McMurry for First Win

SHERMAN, Texas - The Austin College women's basketball team hounded visiting McMurry into 29 turnovers and held off the War Hawks down the stretch, coming away with a 60-56 win on Wednesday night in Hughey Gym. The 'Roos are now 1-2 on the season.

Austin College struggled to get things going offensively for much of the game, hitting just 2-of-22 attempts from beyond the arc, but the 'Roos outscored McMurry 26-18 from the free throw line and got 16 points off of turnovers in the victory. The 'Roos took a 14-13 lead after the opening quarter, but went ice cold from the field in the second as they hit just 3-of-13 shots and none of their eight attempts from deep, and McMurry managed to take a 28-25 lead into halftime.

After a slow start to the third quarter, Austin College took control late in the period. The 'Roos trailed 36-34 with 3:17 left in the frame, but used an 8-0 run to head into the fourth leading 42-36. A Natalie McCoy three pushed the margin to 49-41 with 4:56 left in the fourth, but the War Hawks would narrow the gap to 52-50 with 2:08 on the clock. Austin College would go 8-of-10 at the free throw line in the game's closing minutes, however, to hold off McMurry and earn the victory.

McCoy led all scorers with 17 points and added four assists, going 10-of-10 at the free throw line in the game. Katy Pool had 14 points, seven rebounds, and four steals, and Sarah Gwin chipped in 10 points while Lauren Traylor pulled down 12 rebounds for the 'Roos, who shot just 27.8% from the field as a team. Destiny Mathews led McMurry with 14 points and 12 rebounds.