Southwestern Surges Past 'Roo Men's Hoops

The Austin College men's basketball team led for the first 34 minutes against Southwestern University on Saturday night, but a late surge by the Pirates led to a 59-53 loss for the 'Roos. Austin College is now 3-14 overall and 0-7 in Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference play. 

Jimmy King's hot shooting got the 'Roos off to a good start as the freshman guard buried four first half three pointers, including three in the first seven and a half minutes to put Austin College ahead 13-7 early on. The lead grew to 17-9 on a basket by Ransom Okpala, and after four quick points from Southwestern, Andre Bryant knocked down a triple to make it 20-13 with 8:33 left before the break. 

Southwestern cut the margin to 21-17 but King nailed his fourth three to push it to a 24-17 game, and free throws by Antoine Thompson and Alvin Michael sent the 'Roos into the locker room leading 28-21. King was 4-of-4 from deep with 14 first half points. 

Southwestern began to chip away at the lead early in the second half, closing to within one at 34-33 with 13:23 to play before an Aaron Anwary three pointer gave the 'Roos some breathing room. A Kevin Graham three pointer pushed the lead to 44-39, but Southwestern would score six in a row to take their first lead of the game on a three by Travis Kurtz with 5:36 left. 

Graham answered with a three to get the lead back for Austin College, but the Pirates would close the game on a 14-6 run over the game's final five minutes to pull away from the 'Roos and take a 59-53 victory. 

King finished with 16 points to lead all scorers and Graham added 12 as the only two 'Roos in double figures. The 'Roos shot just 31.8% from the field, including 27.3% after halftime. 

Kurtz led the Pirates with 13 points and Daniel Mataya added 11 in the win for Southwestern. 

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.