'Roos Outlast Hendrix to Win Home Opener

SHERMAN, Texas – The Austin College men's basketball team hounded Hendrix College into 27 turnovers and knocked down 12 three pointers on their way to a 91-83 victory over the Warriors on Friday night in Hughey Gym. The 'Roos are now 1-1 overall this season with the victory.

After Hendrix got out to an 11-7 advantage in the game's opening minutes, Josh Quinn knocked down a three to cut it to a one-point game and 'Roos would add back-to-back triples from Josh Hardwick as they went on top 18-16. The Austin College run continued as Hardwick knocked down two more triples to push it to a 28-16 lead with 8:46 left before halftime. 

Hendrix got the margin down to eight at 30-22, but a 9-4 spurt for the 'Roos pushed it back to double digits at 39-26 with four minutes left in the half. Quinn knocked down a three, Justice Mercadel completed a three-point-play, and Michael Holland added a dunk to push it to a 49-35 game, and the 'Roos would head into the locker room leading 51-40.

Austin Wells knocked down a triple to open the second half and Quinn buried another three to push it to a 57-43 game with 18:06 left to play, but the Warriors would respond with a 19-3 run to take a 62-60 edge six minutes later. After Hendrix went ahead 66-62, Kam Hogan would score six points during an 8-4 run to square things at 70 apiece, and another three from Quinn gave the 'Roos a 73-72 lead with 8:09 to play. 

The teams would trade leads twice more over the next few minutes but a bucket by Mercadel and the fifth three of the game for Quinn gave Austin College an 80-74 lead, and the 'Roos would eventually lead 90-79 with just 18 seconds remaining.

Hogan finished with 18 points, five assists, and three steals to lead Austin College as six players reached double-digits for the 'Roos. Quinn was 5-of-6 from deep on his way to 15 points, and Mercadel added 15 points, eight boards, four assists, and three steals. Hardwick chipped in 14 points and five assists, and Josh Garrett and Holland each added 10 points in the win.

Marcus Hall came off the bench to lead all scorers with 20 points for Hendrix, adding 10 rebounds in the loss. Kam Bransfield added 19 and Trey Rouse had 15 for the Warriors, while Austin Moore scored 13. Sean Criswell led all players with 12 rebounds.

Austin College athletic teams participate as a member of the NCAA Division III and the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference.