Second Half Surge Pushes Paul Quinn Past 'Roos

SHERMAN, Texas - The Austin College men's basketball team trailed by just one at halftime against Paul Quinn, but the Tigers poured in 60 points after the break to hand the 'Roos a 102-73 defeat on Saturday afternoon in Hughey Gym. The 'Roos are now 1-4 overall on the year.

Paul Quinn got out to a hot start, going on top 13-2 in the games opening minutes and the Tigers would push it to a 26-10 game with 12 minutes left in the first half. Austin College started to chip away at the margin as Jackson Rennie hit a pair of triples and Roman Strickland added a basket to make it 36-25 with 6:47 on the clock. A three-point-play by Tristan Dick got the margin back down to single digits at 39-30, and Dick would complete another three-point-play with 0.2 seconds left in the half to cut it to 42-41 heading into the locker room.

The Tigers would open the second half with a 10-0 run, but a three by Jaylyn Cleamons later in the half cut it to 57-51 with 14:10 left. Chase Antosca scored to make it 61-56 a minute later, but a 9-1 run pushed it to a 70-57 game with 11:50 on the clock. Jason Jones scored to make it 70-59, but Paul Quinn used a 22-2 run to surge ahead 92-61 with 6:13 left to play. 

Paul Quinn shot 54.8% from the field in the second half, while Austin College hit just 35.7% after the break. Overall, the Tigers shot 47.6% while Austin College was 37.7% in the game, and made just 6-of-24 three point attempts. Paul Quinn dominated on the glass, out-boarding the 'Roos 56-34, and the Tigers scored 60 points in the paint and 36 off of turnovers.

Rennie scored 15 points to lead the 'Roos, hitting 3-of-10 threes, while Strickland chipped in 12 and Chanston Goodman added 11. Jones pulled down a team-best nine rebounds in the loss for Austin College. Spencer McElway led Paul Quinn with 24 points and 13 rebounds.