Trinity Tops 'Roo Women in Conference Opener

SHERMAN, Texas - The Austin College women's basketball took an early lead on visiting Trinity University, but the Tigers won each of the final three quarters and used a late run to pull away and hand the 'Roos a 70-58 defeat on Friday evening in Hughey Gym. The 'Roos are now 1-6 overall and 0-1 in Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference play.

Sarah Putnicki came off the bench to score a career-best 14 points, adding five rebounds and three assists, and the 'Roos also got 11 points from Kacie West and a 10 point, eight rebound performance from Lauren Traylor in the loss. The 'Roos led by as many as seven points in the opening quarter, finishing the first with a 22-18 lead, but Trinity outscored Austin College 16-9 in the second quarter to head into halftime leading 34-31. The 'Roos managed to hit just 4-of-16 shots in the period, including only 1-of-6 from long range. 

Trinity would take a 58-50 lead into the fourth quarter after pouring in 24 third quarter points, as the Tigers hit 9-of-16 shot attempts, but Putnicki scored 10 of her 14 points in the frame to help keep Austin College close. The first-year forward from Gunter hit 4-of-7 shots in the frame, as well as 2-of-3 free throws. Natalie McCoy drilled a three and Traylor scored to bring Austin College to within five at 60-55 with 7:16 left in the game, but the Tigers responded with a 10-0 run to push the lead to 70-55 with 4:29 left. A Maggie Robbins basket capped off that 10-0 run and would prove to be the final bucket of the game for Trinity, as the 'Roos held the Tigers scoreless for nearly half the quarter, but Austin College was unable to mount a comeback down the stretch.

Putnicki hit 5-of-13 shots to get her career-best effort, and was 4-of-5 from the free throw line. McCoy added eight points and six assists for Austin College. Trinity held a 48-32 rebounding edge, with Kelly Simmons pulling down 12 boards off the bench for Trinity. Ashlyn Milton scored 21 points for the Tigers, hitting 5-of-9 from distance, and Carly Leong came off the bench to score 20.