Austin College Men Win at the Buzzer in Season Opener

SHERMAN, Texas - After leading the University of Dallas for most of the season opener for the Austin College men's basketball team, it took a Michael Holland buzzer-beater from long distance to give the 'Roos an 81-80 victory on Friday night in Hughey Gym.

Austin College led for all but two seconds in the game, with Dallas edging ahead for the first time with 2.7 seconds remaining on a pair of free throws that made it 80-78. However, the 'Roos were able to advance the ball up the court to Holland, who banked home the game-winner from 25 feet for just the second lead change of the contest. The three was Holland's only attempt from beyond the arc in the game, and the senior forward finished with 17 points and nine rebounds.

The 'Roos got off to a quick start with Tristan Dick coming away with a steal and a breakaway dunk to open the 2021 campaign, and the Austin College lead would grow to 11-2 less than three minutes into the game. A bucket from Jake Patin with 11:39 on the clock made it a 20-6 advantage, but Dallas began to chip away at the lead and pulled two within two at 20-18 just under three minutes later. Holland scored to extend the margin back into double digits at 33-23 with five minutes left before the break, and the 'Roos would head into the locker room leading 41-36.

The second half stayed mostly tight throughout, but Austin College managed to stay on top every time Dallas made a charge. The Crusaders scored to make it a 57-53 game with 10:59 left before Holland grabbed a rebund and went coast-to-coast to throw down a dunk through traffic to make it a six point game. The 'Roos managed to push it to a 69-59 game with 6:48 left to play, and it was 77-69 after a Kam Hogan basket with 2:48 left in the game. However, Dallas would score six in a row to cut it to a 77-75 game, and after Jaylyn Cleamons went 1-for-2 at the stripe to make it a three point game with 1:15 remaining, Dallas would score five unanswered to go on top 80-78 before Holland's last second heroics.

Hogan paced the 'Roos with 21 points and added five rebounds and three assists, and Dick added 14 points, five rebounds, four assists, and four steals. Cleamons finished with 13 points and five rebounds, and Patin chipped in 10 as all five Austin College started reached double digits in the scoring column.

Jai Love led all scorers with 28 for the University of Dallas, and Letrell Toussaint added 19 points and 18 rebounds. Marcus Juarez had 12 points off the bench for the Crusaders.

Austin College and Dallas will meet again tomorrow in another home game for the 'Roos, with tip time set for 4:00 p.m.