Men's Hoops Earns Road Win at Dallas

IRVING, Texas - The Austin College men's basketball team brought its record back to .500 on the year with a 96-85 win at the University of Dallas on Tuesday night in Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference action. The 'Roos are now 8-8 overall and 5-4 in conference play, and have won four of their last five contests.

The 'Roos got 23 points and eight rebounds from Justice Mercadel, 21 points and seven boards from Devin Roland, and a double-double of 20 points and 10 rebounds from Michael Holland in the victory. Austin College got out to a big lead in the first half, breaking open what had been a tie game at 18-18 with 10 minutes left before the break and going into halftime leading 47-34. The 'Roos shot 53.1% from the field in the opening half and knocked down 5-of-6 three pointers to break things open.

Dallas fought back and made it a 63-60 game with nine minutes left to play, but that's as close as things would get and Austin College pulled away down the stretch with Roland and Kameron Hill combining to go 6-for-6 at the free throw line in the final 30 seconds of action. The 'Roos dominated on the glass in the win, winning the rebounding battle 47-35 and outscored the Crusaders 32-19 at the free throw line. 

Mercadel made 9-of-11 shots to get his game high point total, and Roland went 12-for-12 at the free throw line to help him get to 21. Roland also added three assists. Holland made 7-of-13 field goal attempts and also led the team with five assists and four blocked shots.

Austin College and Dallas will square off again on Saturday, this time in Hughey Gym with game time set for 2:00 p.m.