Big Second Half Lifts 'Roos to Victory in Home Opener

SHERMAN, Texas - The Austin College women's basketball team got off to a slow start, but a dominant third quarter broke things open for the 'Roos in a 65-48 win over LeTourneau University on Tuesday evening in the team's home opener in Hughey Gym. The 'Roos are now 2-1 on the year.

Brooklyn Matthews recorded her first double-double of the year, scoring 12 points while pulling down 16 rebounds, and added three blocks and a pair of assists while Avory Miller scored 15 points, grabbed eight boards, and dished out four assists. She also came away with a pair of steals, while Lexi Martin had 11 points and seven assists in the victory. Austin College jumped out to a 19-16 lead after the opening quarter, but the 'Roos shot just 2-of-8 from the field and turned the ball over eight times in the second quarter, managing just five points to head into halftime holding a slim lead at 24-23. Austin College also hit only 3-of-12 from the free throw line in the first half.

LeTourneau scored the first bucket of the second half, but Austin College responded with a 19-0 run to take a commanding 43-25 lead following a triple from Martin with two and a half minutes left in the period. The 'Roos finished the third with a 45-30 lead, hitting 9-of-17 from the floor while limiting the Yellowjackets to 2-of-12 shooting to open up their double-digit lead. Austin College continued to put points up in the fourth, out-scoring the Jackets 20-18 in the final 10 minutes of action to secure the win.

Matthews hit 6-of-11 shots from the field to get her 12 points, and Martin was 2-of-5 from beyond the arc. Grace Moothart hit 3-of-5 from long range to finish with nine points, as Austin College ended the game hitting 42.1% from the field and knocked down 8-of-18 from three point range. The 'Roos also owned a 48-to-36 edge on the glass. Mariana Espinosa led all scorers with 16 points and added six rebounds and five assists to pace LeTourneau.