SHERMAN, Texas - THe Austin College men's basketball team picked up an important Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference victory on Saturday, taking down visiting Southwestern University 73-68 to remain in the sixth spot in the conference standings heading into the stretch of the regular season. The 'Roos are now 11-11 overall and 7-7 in SCAC play.

The 'Roos trailed 42-40 at halftime, as Southwestern knocked down 62.5% of their field goal attempts in the opening 20 minutes. Austin College clamped down defensively after the break, limiting the Pirates to 40.7% shooting while Tristan Dick, Joshua Joe, and Kidus Getenet combined to score 25 second half points to help the 'Roos pull away for the win. Dick finished with 17 points, with his final basket coming on a three to make it 70-62 with 1:19 left in the game. That basket also pushed him past 1,000 points in his Ausitn College career. The Pirates pulled to within three points on a triple by Sebastian Loder with 23 seconds left to make it 71-68, but Joe hit two free throws in the game's closing seconds to seal the win.

Dick made 5-of-8 field goal attempts, including all three of his shots from beyond the arc, and added six rebounds, five steals, a pair of assists, and a blocked shot. Joe scored eight of his 11 points after halftime, adding five rebounds, four steals, and three assists while making 3-of-5 from deep, and Getenet added 11 points with four rebounds. Jamien June came off the bench to score eight points and Ocie Berry added seven, while Ethan Pearce scored five points while pulling down six rebounds and dishing out five assists. Jordan Hudgins scored six points and added five rebounds, four blocked shots, and three assists. Luke Hatcher and Brock Luechtefeld each had 14 points for the Pirates.

Austin College is back in action on Tuesday night against Arlington Baptist, before hosting the University of Dallas in a crucial SCAC contest next Saturday as the team celebrates Senior Day.