Women's Hoops Cruises Past Colorado College

SHERMAN, Texas – The Austin College women's basketball team used a big second quarter to pull away from Colorado College and never looked back, topping the Tigers 76-51 on Saturday night in Hughey Gym. The 'Roos improve to 11-4 overall and 5-0 in Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference play with the victory.

Colorado College used some hot shooting early to take a 9-8 lead on three treys to open the game, and after Austin College took a 12-9 lead the Tigers got another three to square things up with 2:01 left in the opening quarter. Austin College would close the quarter on a 7-2 run behind four points from Bryce Frank to lead 19-14 after one. 

In the second quarter, the Austin College defense stepped up and the 'Roos were able to create offense out of that defense, as 10 Colorado College turnovers in the quarter helped Austin College outscore the Tigers 26-12 in the frame. Six quick points from Chrissy Ray helped Austin College take its first double digit lead of the game, and three pointers from Kendall Heitmeier and Katie Gowdy, followed up by two free throws from Gowdy, gave the 'Roos a 35-16 lead midway through the second. 

Francesca Cendali scored the last six points of the quarter for Colorado College as the Tigers cut it to a 41-26 game, but a jumper from Ray and a basket by Kelly Lynch sent Austin College into halftime leading 45-26.

Colorado College opened the second half with a 6-2 run but Gowdy knocked down another three to make it 50-32, and after four straight points by the Tigers, the 'Roos went on a 10-2 run capped off by a layup by Frank to push it to a 60-38 game with 3:35 left in the third. The 'Roos would extend the lead to end the quarter and head into the fourth holding a 64-40 advantage.

Austin College got the lead up to 31 two times in the fourth quarter, with Kali Vittallo scoring to make it 75-44 with 5:21 to play, before both teams went to their benches and the 'Roos cruised to an easy 76-51 victory. The 'Roos hounded Colorado College into 33 turnovers on the night, including 19 in the first half as they built what proved to be an insurmountable lead.

Frank led all scorers with 15 points, and Vittallo added 12 points, five assists, and four rebounds. Ray added 12 points in the win, and Lynch hit 5-of-9 shots to score a career-best 11 points in the victory.

Korbyn Ukasick was the lone Colorado College player to hit double figures, knocking down 6-of-12 shots to finish with 14 points and five rebounds in the loss.

Austin College will be looking to keep its winning streak going next weekend when the 'Roos play host to Schreiner on Friday and Trinity on Saturday. Saturday is also Alumni Day, with an Alumni Game to be played at noon.

Austin College athletic teams participate as a member of the NCAA Division III and the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference.