KERRVILLE, Texas - For the first time in program history, the Austin College women's basketball team has won the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference championship after defeating top-seeded Trinity 76-67 on Sunday afternoon on the campus of Schreiner University. The 'Roos are now 23-4 overall as they head into the NCAA Tournament, with their first round opponent set to be announced on Monday afternoon.
Kacie West poured in 20 points to lead Austin College and SCAC Tournament Most Valuable Player Natalie McCoy added 16 for the 'Roos, who broke open a 10-10 tie midway through the first quarter with a 15-5 run kickstarted by threes from Ann Savage and Reagan Chiaverini to make it 25-15 after 10 minutes of action. Chiaverini scored four quick points in the second quarter, and after Trinity cut it to a 29-20 margin, West buried a triple to make it 32-20 with 4:24 left before halftime.
The Tigers fought back and trimmed it to a 32-25 game, but McCoy buried a pair of free throws, Ally Longaker scored inside, and Sarah Gwin knocked down a three to send Austin College into halftime leading 39-27. After West knocked down two free throws to open the second half, Trinity quickly cut it to a 41-34 game on a bucket by Abby Holland but West drilled a three to push the lead back to double digits. However, Trinity would tighten the gap and make it 54-48 after three quarters of play.
Savage knocked down a deep three to open the scoring in the fourth quarter, and West made two more free throws to extend the lead back to double digits at 59-48. Chiaverini added a basket inside, and McCoy hit from long range to push the lead out to 64-48 with 6:22 left in the game. The Tigers managed to cut it to a five point game at 71-66 with 1:26 on the clock, but that's as close as things would get the rest of the way as the 'Roos held on to cut down the nets and advance to the NCAA Tournament.
West hit 12-of-13 free throws on her way to 20 points and McCoy was 8-of-11 from the stripe, as well as knocking down both of her three point attempts. McCoy added six rebounds in the game, and Chiaverini chipped in 13 points and six boards. Savage scored 12 points and grabbed a team-best seven rebounds, while also leading the team with four assists, and Longaker had eight points and six rebounds.
Abby Holland led all scorers with 29 points for the Tigers, adding 10 rebounds in the loss, and Julia Ackerman added 15 points.
The NCAA Women's Basketball Division III selection show will take place at 1:30 PM on Monday afternoon, streaming live on NCAA.com, to determine Austin College's first round opponent and destination.