'Roos Come Up Short Against Centenary

SHERMAN, Texas - The Austin College men's basketball team turned it over 26 times and Centenary College got hot from three-point range late, as the Gents pulled away to hand the 'Roos an 82-73 loss on Friday afternoon in Hughey Gym. The 'Roos are now 3-5 overall and 0-1 in Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference play.

Austin College shot nearly 50% in the first half and knocked down 5-of-10 threes to head into the break tied up at 39 apiece, but after the 'Roos went on top 52-46 with 13:48 left to play the Gents went on a 19-to-4 run to take a 65-56 lead with 6:52 on the clock. Centenary's Cedric Harris scored 21 of his team-high 28 points after halftime, drilling six three pointers to help the Gents take control down the stretch.

Centenary led by as many as 14 points before Austin College chipped away in the final minutes to make it an 82-73 final. Austin College got 28 points from Michael Holland and 19 from Devin Roland, but the 'Roos went cold for much of the second half, hitting just 4-of-16 three pointers while the Gents made 8-of-14 from deep as a team after the break.

Holland made 13-of-18 shots to get his season-high 28 points, adding nine rebounds and two steals. Roland made 6-of-11 shots, including 4-of-7 from long distance to get his 19 and grabbed six rebounds. Justice Mercadel chipped in nine points, five rebounds, and three steals in the loss.

Harris was 10-of-23 shooting, including 7-of-18 from deep, and Ty Prince went 8-of-13 from the field and 4-of-6 from three to score 24 points. Overall, Centenary knocked down 15-of-34 treys in the game.

Austin College will look to bounce back tomorrow when they host the University of St. Thomas (Tex.) with tipoff set for 4:00 p.m.