Austin College Drops Conference Opener

SHERMAN, Texas - The Austin College men's basketball team struggled to get things going offensively in Wednesday night's Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference opener against the University of Dallas, as the 'Roos shot just 34.8% from the field in a 67-59 loss to the Crusaders in Hughey Gym. The 'Roos are now 1-4 overall to begin the season.

Austin College's shooting woes were primarily in a first half that saw the 'Roos knock down just 10-of-35 shots (28.6%), as the Crusaders took a 33-27 lead into halftime while hitting 45.8% from the field. Johny Olmdsted carried Dallas in the first half, scoring 14 of his team's points on 5-of-7 shooting. Peyton Gonzales came off the bench to provide a spark for Austin College and help keep the 'Roos in the game, scoring seven points and grabbing five rebounds before halftime. Dallas led by as many as 14 points, as the Crusaders took a 21-7 lead midway through the frame, before the 'Roos chipped away to narrow the gap to six at the break.

Dallas pushed its lead to 41-31 early in the second half and the margin grew to 54-41 with 4:31 left to play, but the 'Roos went on an 11-2 run over the next two minutes and a triple from Aiden Schnurr cut it to 56-52 with 2:05 remaining. The Crusaders extended their lead once again until a three from Jamien June cut it to 60-55 with 1:12 on the clock, but that's as close as the 'Roos got down the stretch.

June made 7-of-16 shots to score a team-best 15 points for the 'Roos, and Jordan Hudgins notched a double-double with 13 points and 13 rebounds, making 6-of-9 shot attempts and adding a pair of blocks. Schnurr scored eight points and Ethan Pearce chipped in seven points, eight rebounds, three steals, and three blocked shots. Olmsted and Thomas Fleming each scored 20 to pace the Crusaders, and Chandler Holmes made 3-of-4 from long range to finish with 16 for Dallas.