Austin College Falls to Texas Lutheran

SHERMAN, Texas - Texas Lutheran used a big run early in the second half to build a double-digit lead over the Austin College men's basketball team, and the 'Roos were unable to complete a late comeback bid in a 73-66 loss on Saturday evening in Hughey Gym. The 'Roos are now 6-11 overall and 1-7 in Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference play.

The 'Roos got out to a 32-29 halftime lead on the strength of 52% shooting in the first 20 minutes of action, while holding Texas Lutheran to 25.9% from the field, but the Bulldogs were able to keep things close by knocking down 11 first half free throws compared to three for the 'Roos. TLU came out of the locker room strong, scoring 13 unanswered points to go on top 42-32 before Jamien June stopped the run with a bucket at the 15:12 mark.

The Texas Lutheran lead grew to 54-39 midway through the second half, and it was a 60-44 game with 9:01 left to play following a bucket by TLU's Easton Allen. Jackson Rennie knocked down two threes and Ethan Pearce scored to pull the 'Roos back to single digits at 60-53, and after the Bulldogs pushed the margin to 69-61 with 1:10 left on a pair of free throws by Isaac Orozco, June scored and Price Bradley followed with a three-point-play to trim it to 69-66 with 51 seconds remaining. However, that's as close as things would get, with Texas lutheran scoring the final four points of the game to hand the 'Roos the 71-66 loss.

Rennie led all scorers with 20 points, knocking down 4-of-12 from deep, and his first three pointer of the game gave him 200 made triples in his career. June finished with 17 points and dished out 10 assists, and Pearce chipped in 15 points on 7-of-10 shooting, adding nine rebounds, three blocks, and two steals. Trey Blackmore paced Texas Lutheran with 18 points.