SHERMAN, Texas - The Austin College women's basketball team improved to 6-0 for the first time since the 1997-1998 season with an 80-61 win over the University of the Ozarks on Saturday afternoon in Hughey Gym. 

The 'Roos built a series of big leads only to watch Ozarks chip away throughout the game, before finally pulling away from the Eagles to earn the double-digit win. Austin College led throughout, scoring the first four points and building to an 18-6 lead thanks to threes from Kacie West, Natalie McCoy, Sarah Gwin, and Lindsay Carter. The Eagles battled back, however, cutting it to a 20-17 game after the first quarter.

Austin College pushed the margin to 29-19 midway through the second quarter but once again Ozarks fought back, pulling to within two at 31-29 with three minutes left before halftime. The 'Roos would close the half on a 7-0 run to head into the break leading 38-29.

A basket by Kacie West gave Austin College a 45-34 lead early in the third, and the margin would grow to 49-34 until the Eagles once again used a small run to get the deficit back to single-digits at 49-42 with just under three minutes left in the period, but McCoy's three at the buzzer sent the 'Roos into the fourth quarter with a 56-44 cushion.

Austin College would maintain their double-figure margin throughout the fourth quarter, shooting 53% and making 5-of-6 free throws in the final frame to ice the victory. West led the 'Roos with 14 points, while McCoy and Ann Savage each added 13. Savage also had five assists and two steals. Reagan Chiaverini chipped in 12 points and Ally Longaker came up just shy of a double-double, scoring eight points and pulling down 12 rebounds.

Carly Grace Dougan led Ozarks with 14 points, while Kamryn McKinney had 12 and Faith Curry and Kelsey Dixon each scored 10. Curry added nine boards and five assists.

Austin College opens up Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference play next weekend as the 'Roos host Centenary College on Friday at 2:00 p.m.