Offensive Explosion Leads 'Roos Past HPU

SHERMAN, Texas - The Austin College men's basketball team erupted for its highest point total in 25 years and Jackson Rennie poured in 36 points to lead the 'Roos to a 115-107 home victory over Howard Payne on Saturday evening in Hughey Gym. The 'Roos are now 5-3 overall on the year.

The 'Roos hit 52.8% from the field and buried 14-of-31 attempts from long range, with Rennie tying for fifth on the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference single game record list with nine made triples. Rennie finished the game hitting 9-of-16 from deep and 11-of-19 overall to get his career-best 36 points, including making three triples in the game's opening minutes to push Austin College out to a 9-0 lead. Austin College put four players in double figures on their way to the program's highest point total since February 1999, with Kidus Getenet coming off the bench to score 23 points while grabbing 14 rebounds, handing out six assists, and coming away with three steals. Getenet hit 5-of-13 from the field and 12-of-17 from the free throw line in the win.

Austin College took a 51-45 lead into halftime and maintained a double digit lead for much of the second half, with HPU chipping away to get things back under 10 points in the closing minutes. The 'Roos hit 55.6% from the field in the second half and outscored the Jackets 18-to-7 from the free throw line in the game's final 20 minutes to help secure the win. Rennie scored 24 of his points after the break. Jamien June scored 16 points and added 12 rebounds and five assists, while Price Bradley added 16 points, five assists, and four rebounds. Jordan Hudgins just missed out on a double-double with nine points and 12 rebounds, and also had five assists and a pair of blocked shots. Trey Jackson led Howard Payne with 25 points and Riley Fornerette added 22 points and 10 assists.