Pirates Top Austin College as 'Roos Go Cold in Final Minutes

SHERMAN, Texas - The Austin College men's basketball team led for most of Friday evening's home game against Southwestern University, but went scoreless over the final 5:23 as the Pirates came from behind to top the 'Roos 67-63 in Hughey Gym. The 'Roos are 6-10 overall and 1-6 in Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference play.

Austin College built a 39-32 halftime lead behind the hot first half shooting of Jackson Rennie, who knocked down 6-of-8 from beyond the arc to score 18 points in the first 20 minutes of action. Both teams came out strong offensively, with Southwestern shooting 54.2% from the field in the opening frame while the 'Roos hit 55.6% of their attempts, with Luke Mills scoring 11 first half points for Southwestern.

Rennie scored to open the second half, pushing the lead to 41-32, and after the Pirates cut it to 42-38 with 17:12 left to play, a triple from Rennie gave the 'Roos a 45-38 cushion with under 16 minutes remaining. Price Bradley scored five quick points to help Austin College grow the lead to 50-40 at the 14:23 mark, and the margin grew to 58-47 three minutes later. The Pirates began to chip away at the deficit, using a 13-2 run to get it down to a 61-60 game with 5:46 left. Ethan Pearce scored 23 seconds later to make it 63-60, but those were the last points the 'Roos mustered, as Southwestern ended the game with a 7-0 run to hand the 'Roos the defeat. 

Rennie hit 9-of-17 shots overall and 7-of-13 from deep to finish with 25 points and Pearce added 13 points, seven rebounds, and four assists, while Bradley chipped in 12 points, five rebounds, and five assists. The 'Roos hit just 29.6% from the field in the second half, while Southwestern made 55.6% after halftime. Mills hit 10-of-13 shots to lead Southwestern with 22 points.