HOUSTON, Texas — After finishing the first half with a lead over the St. Thomas Celts, turnovers hurt Southwestern as the Celts took advantage to come back and win 83-69 in the Jerabeck Center Sunday afternoon.
Buoyed by a strong performance from Kyle Poerschke, who scored 10 points coming off the bench, and with nine points for point guard Kyle Howard, the Pirates were able to stick close in points with the Celts. The Pirates also outrebounded the Celts 21-13. Brandon Alexander lead the team with five rebounds in the first half, and the Pirates had the advantage before the second half leading 42-38.
However, within four minutes of the second half and three turnovers later, the St. Thomas Celts were able to tie the game up and keep within two points ahead or behind the Pirates. The continued turnovers prevented the Pirates from gaining a big lead and the Celts took the advantage to stay in the game and eventually gain an eight-point lead with 10 minutes left in the game.
Though Calvin Williams and Trenton Garrett were able to capitalize on free throws to help the Pirates make the game 60-65 with eight minutes left, the Celts ultimately kept the Pirates from scoring for three straight minutes while St. Thomas was able to score 15 points. With the clock winding down, the Pirates were unable to get themselves back into a close scoring range.
Alexander was the high scorer with 14 points and eight rebounds, followed by Howard, who had 13 points and six rebounds. Poerschke had 10 points and three rebounds.
Up next, the Pirates will be back in Georgetown, continuing the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference (SCAC) play against the Austin College Roos on Friday, Jan. 17 at 5:30 p.m., and then Saturday, Jan. 18 at 4 p.m. against the University of Dallas.
