UTD Pulls Away from 'Roo Men's Hoops Late

The Austin College men's basketball team was within five points late in their game against the University of Texas-Dallas, but the Comets used an 11-5 run to close things out and hand the 'Roos a 61-50 loss on Wednesday night in Hughey Gym. The 'Roos are now 1-4 on the year with the loss. 

Austin College got off to a hot start, grabbing a 10-2 lead with 14:05 left in the opening half. UTD pulled to within one at 11-10 before the 'Roos pushed the margin back to 16-10 on a basket by Jordan Hancock. Carter Nash scored to cap off a 7-0 run for UTD as the Comets surged ahead 17-16, but the 'Roos grabbed the lead back at 24-22 on a bucket by Walter Phillips with 2:31 left before halftime. However, a last second tip in by Nash would put UTD on top 27-26 heading into the locker room. 

UTD carried that momentum into the second half, scoring eight straight to push the lead to 35-26, and the lead grew to 40-29 with 15:35 left to play on a basket by Reese Dahse. A pair of three pointers and a layup by Hancock cut the margin to 42-39 with 11:14 remaining, but the Comets got two quick baskets from Kyle Schleigh on their way to extending the lead to 48-41 with just under nine minutes remaining. 

Alen Michael had a tip in and Colton Castle hit an 18 footer to pull the 'Roos back to within three at 48-45, but that's as close as Austin College would get as Schleigh would score seven of UTD's final 13 points to give the Comets the 11 point victory. 

Hancock hit 5-of-10 shots and 2-of-4 from deep on his way to a team-high 15 points and added three steals and Michael recorded a double-double with 10 points and 13 rebounds for the 'Roos. 

Schleigh led all scorers with 22 points and added 13 boards, three assists and a pair of steals and Nash finished with 11 points and seven boards for the Comets. 

Austin College opens up Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference play this weekend when they host Southwestern on Friday and Trinity on Saturday. 

Austin College athletic teams participate as a member of the NCAA Division III and the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference. 

About Austin College 

Austin College is a leading national independent liberal arts college located north of Dallas in Sherman, Texas. Founded in 1849, making it the oldest institution of higher education in Texas operating under original charter and name, the college is related by covenant to the Presbyterian Church (USA). Recognized nationally for academic excellence in the areas of international education, pre-professional training, and leadership studies, Austin College is one of 40 schools profiled in Loren Pope's influential book Colleges that Change Lives.