'Roos Top Dallas for Fifth Straight Win

IRVING, Texas - The No. 25-ranked Austin College women's basketball team overcame a sluggish start to roll past the University of Dallas 78-56 on Wednesday afternoon. The 'Roos have now won five in a row and are 9-1 overall, along with 2-0 in Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference play.

The 'Roos found themselves trading baskets with the Crusaders, who are still looking for their first win this season, for most of the first quarter. Dallas took an 18-16 lead with 2:47 left in the opening quarter before Austin College got a pair of threes from Reagan Chiaverini to close out the first quarter with a 22-18 lead. The margin grew to 39-26 at the break, but the Crusaders opened the second half with five straight points to cut it to an eight point game.

Addison Walling buried a triple to push the lead back to double-digits, but the Crusaders would once again make a run, pulling to within six at 46-40 with 4:58 left in the third. Austin College responded with a 12-0 run, and would head into the fourth quarter leading 58-42. The 'Roos went on another 12-0 run to open the fourth quarter, making it 70-42 and putting the game out of reach.

Kacie West came off the bench to pump in 20 points, and Bryce Frank added 14 points and four assists in just 19 minutes of action. Ann Savage scored 11 points, grabbed six boards, and dished out four assists, and Ally Longaker pulled down a career-best 10 rebounds in the victory.

Austin College is off until December 29, when they head back out on the road to take on No. 12-ranked Mary Hardin-Baylor.