Colorado College Uses Big Second Half to Top 'Roo Men

After the Austin College men's basketball team tied things at 40 midway through the second half, Colorado College used a 10-0 run to pull away from the 'Roos and hand them a 69-60 loss on Friday night. The 'Roos are now 7-14 overall and 3-9 in Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference play.

Colorado College used a pair of three pointers to help jump out to a 14-7 lead five minutes in, but an Aaron Anwary three pointer knotted things at 14 with 11:36 left before the half. Daniel Webb gave the Tigers a 21-17 lead but the 'Roos got a three from Ransom Okpala, and Jeremy Swisher scored to put Austin College ahead 22-21 with 5:38 on the clock.

The teams traded baskets over the last five minutes of the half, with Colorado College taking a 32-30 lead with 46 seconds left before Okpala drilled another three to send the 'Roos into the locker room leading 33-32.

A pair of free throws by Ryan Milne gave the Tigers a 40-37 lead with 15:50 left, but Okpala finished a three point play to tie things up at 40 with 13:34 remaining. However, Colorado College's Chris Lesnansky scored seven straight and Milne knocked down a three to cap the key 10-0 run and make it 50-40 with 9:03 left.

After a basket by Brian Baehl, Milne answered with another triple, and hit another three with 4:17 left to push it to a 58-44 margin. Swisher answered with a three and Okpala hit another trey to cut it to 58-50 with 2:16 left but the 'Roos were unable to get the deficit under eight the rest of the way in the nine point loss.

Okpala finished with 18 points, four rebounds, and two assists to lead the 'Roos and Alan Sullivan added 14 points, four boards, and two blocks. Alvin Michael added nine points, five boards, and three steals in the loss.

Lesnansky led all scorers with 22 points and Milne finished with 16, six rebounds, and four assists. Mitch Carter chipped in 11 for the Tigers.

Austin College will be looking to bounce back tomorrow night when they host the University of Dallas at 6:00 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 residential 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.