The Austin College men's basketball team trailed by just one midway through the second half, but Trinity used several timely three pointers and knocked down its free throws down the stretch to pull away and hand the 'Roos an 84-66 loss on Saturday night in Hughey Gym. The 'Roos are now 1-6 overall and 0-2 in Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference play.
Trinity jumped out to an early 9-3 lead, but a three from Aaron Anwary and a basket by Walter Phillips cut it to an 11-8 game with 15:10 to play. The Tigers pushed the lead back to 20-11 before a three from Andre Bryant cut it to a six point game, but a three from David Lacey extended the Trinity lead back to 25-14 with 11:06 remaining in the opening half. The lead grew to as much as 12 with under four minutes to play before the break, but the 'Roos would use an 11-4 run to head into the locker room trailing 41-36.
Trinity opened the second half scoring with a three by Matt Hopper, but Austin College scored six straight to cut it to a 44-42 deficit less than two minutes into the half. Another three by Hopper pushed it back to a five point game, but three quick points from Alen Michael made it 49-47 with 15:41 left to play. The Trinity lead grew to six just over a minute later, but a layup by Colton Castle and a three from Kevin Graham made it a 53-52 game with 12:37 remaining.
However, that is as close as the 'Roos would get as the Tigers would knock down 5-of-7 three pointers and 8-of-9 free throws in the final 12 minutes to pull away and hand Austin College the loss. The Tigers hit 12-of-24 threes overall in the game.
Michael led the 'Roos with 14 points and seven rebounds and Phillips finished with 10 points and six boards. Castle finished with nine and Anwary and Okpala each chipped in eight points in the loss.
Zach Lambert led all scorers with 22 points and grabbed seven boards and Hopper finished with 15. Lacey added 12, knocking down all three of his three point attempts. Trinity shot 60.9% from the field, including 63.6% from three in the second half.
Austin College heads out on the road next week when they play a pair of games at Colorado College.
Austin College athletic teams participate as a member of the NCAA Division III and the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference.
About Austin College
Austin College is a leading national independent liberal arts college located north of Dallas in Sherman, Texas. Founded in 1849, making it the oldest institution of higher education in Texas operating under original charter and name, the college is related by covenant to the Presbyterian Church (USA). Recognized nationally for academic excellence in the areas of international education, pre-professional training, and leadership studies, Austin College is one of 40 schools profiled in Loren Pope's influential book Colleges that Change Lives.