Austin College Holds off Dallas for First SCAC Win

SHERMAN, Texas - The Austin College men's basketball team got 22 points from Jamien June and a double-double from Ethan Pearce, and used a big advantage in points in the paint to earn a 67-60 victory over the University of Dallas on Saturday afternoon. The 'Roos are now 6-5 overall and 1-1 in Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference play.

June scored 14 of his 22 points in the first half to help the 'Roos build a 35-30 lead at the break, as Austin College rallied past an early deficit and closed the half with a 7-to-2 run. Austin College tried to pull away multiple times in the second half, pushing the lead to 47-38 on a basket by Price Bradley with 13:07 left, but the Crusaders refused to go away and kept the margin in single digits.

A Thomas Fleming three cut it to a 54-51 game with 8:46 to play, and after Austin College pushed the lead to 59-54 with 5:39 left, Terrence Bryant scored for Dallas to make it 59-58 with 3:23 on the clock. The 'Roos maintained a slim lead heading into the final minute, and Fleming made a pair of free throws to keep the Crusaders close at 61-60 with 33 seconds left. However, Austin College closed out the game strong, with Bradley scoring four quick points and Jackson Rennie icing the win with a pair of free throws in the final seconds.

Austin College outscored Dallas 26-to-14 in the paint and owned a 42-34 edge on the boards, with Pearce and Ocie Berry each pulling down 11 rebounds. Pearce scored 15 points and had a pair of blocked shots in the win, as well. Bradley finished with 16 points and four assists, while Fleming led Dallas with 21 points, knocking down 5-of-9 three pointers and adding seven rebounds.