Southwestern Hands Women's Hoops First SCAC Loss

Southwestern got out to a 17 point halftime lead and the 'Roo women's basketball team was unable to make up the difference, calling 86-67 on Friday for the team's first Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference loss of the year. The 'Roos are now 7-6 overall and 2-1 in SCAC play as they head to SCAC-leading Trinity on Saturday.

Austin College actually raced out to a 9-0 lead when Erin Riley knocked down three triples in the first two minutes of action, but the Pirates countered with an 18-3 run and led by as much as 19 in the opening half. The 'Roos trailed 49-32 at the break.

The Southwestern lead grew to 27 at 69-42 with 12 minutes remaining, and Austin College was unable to battle back late. After Riley's first three treys to start the game, the 'Roos were only able to knock down one more three pointer the rest of the way and finished 4-of-15 as a team, while Southwestern hit 9-of-22 from deep and also held a 23-to-11 advantage in made free throws.

Riley finished with 15 points and seven rebounds, and Christina Kime hit 5-of-11 shots and all four of her free throw attempts to score 14 as the only other 'Roo to reach double figures. Kendall Heitmeier came off the bench to score nine and Brittany Stepanski added eight.