Collins Scores 21 to Lead 'Roos Past Dallas

SHERMAN, Texas – Caitlyn Collins scored 11 of her game-high 21 points in the fourth quarter as the Austin College women's basketball team held off the University of Dallas 64-59 on Friday night in Hughey Gym. The 'Roos are now 11-4 overall and 3-1 in Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference play.

The 'Roos got out to a fast start behind the offense of Kendall Heitmeier, who scored seven of the team's first nine points, and Austin College went ahead 11-4 with 2:38 left in the opening quarter. A basket by Meghan Lewis gave the 'Roos a 13-8 advantage after one, and three pointers from Heitmeier and Ann Savage early in the second pushed the margin to 23-17 in favor of the 'Roos with 5:50 left before halftime.

A three-point-play by Heitmeier gave Austin College its largest lead of the first half at 29-20 with 3:18 on the clock, and after a the Crusaders pulled to within four, Savage knocked down another trey and Collins scored with 51 seconds left in the half to send the 'Roos into the locker room leading 35-29.

Austin College quickly went on top by double digits after a pair of buckets from Bryce Frank made it 39-29 early in the third, but Dallas responded with a 13-0 run with Seana Stoia knocking down a pair of triples to help the Crusaders take a 42-39 lead with 5:37 remaining in the quarter. The 'Roos would respond with an 8-2 run, capped off by a basket from Olivia Bailey to make it 47-44 heading into the fourth.

The 'Roos once again scored the first four points of the quarter, pushing the margin to seven points at 51-44 but the Crusaders used a 10-2 spurt to grab a 54-53 lead with 3:29 left in the game but a three pointer from Collins quickly gave Austin College a 56-54 advantage, and four more points from Collins pushed the cushion to 60-54 with 34 seconds to play. The 'Roos would get four free throws down the stretch to hold off the Crusaders and escape with the win.

Collins hit 7-of-14 shots and added a pair of steals to her game-high point total, while Heitmeier finished with 15 points, 10 rebounds, and four steals. Frank added 14 points and seven rebounds, while Bailey grabbed eight boards and dished out seven assists in the victory.

Michelle DeCoud scored 12 points and grabbed 11 rebounds to pace Dallas, and Stoia finished with 11 points and 12 boards. Caitlyn Worry added 11 points for the Crusaders.

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