University of Dallas Edges 'Roo Men's Hoops

The Austin College men's basketball team dropped a heartbreaker to the visiting University of Dallas on Friday night, falling 60-57 to bring their overall record to 3-15 on the year and 0-8 in Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference play. 

Austin College jumped out to an early lead with Andre Bryant scoring four quick points and Kevin Graham knocking down a three to make it 13-5 with 10:16 left in the opening half, but the Crusaders battled back and took their first lead of the game on a Drew Assinesi three pointer to make it 17-15 with 4:23 left before halftime. 

The 'Roos and Crusaders traded three pointers over the next few minutes, with a triple from Jordan Hancock putting Austin College on top 24-22 with 2:09 left in the half. However, seven straight points from Ross Davidson gave the Crusaders the lead, and they would not relinquish it the rest of the game. 

The Crusaders scored the first eight points of the second half to push their lead to 35-26, but Antoine Thompson, Alen Michael, and Bryant combined to chip away at the UD lead and cut it to a 44-42 game with 10:32 left to play. The Crusaders responded with a 7-2 run, but a Ransom Okpala three, a basket by Bryant, and two free throws from Thompson trimmed it to a one point game at 53-52 with 3:08 left. 

That's as close as the 'Roos would get, though, as the Crusaders were able to hold off the comeback attempt by the 'Roos by knocking down 3-of-4 free throws over the final 18 seconds. 

Thompson came off the bench to score a game-high 17 points on 6-of-11 shooting and Bryant scored 10 in the loss for the 'Roos. Austin College shot 47.8% from the field in the first half, but just 35.7% in the second half. 

Tanner Bruffey scored 14 to lead the Crusaders, Aaron Wyatt added 13, and Nate Wilson chipped in 12 off the bench. 

Austin College will be looking to rebound on Sunday when they host Colorado College at 2:00 p.m. 

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.