Austin College Holds Off MUW

JACKSON, Miss. - The Austin College women's basketball team overcame a slow start and held off a late surge by Mississippi University for Women, picking up a 57-54 victory to wrap up the Millsaps Thanksgiving Classic on Sunday afternoon. The 'Roos are now 3-2 overall on the year.

The 'Roos found themselves trailing 9-2 early in the first quarter before utilizing a 9-0 run to grab an 11-9 lead, but MUW jumped back on top 13-11 at the end of the period. Austin College clamped down defensively in the second quarter, holding the Owls scoreless until the final moments of the quarter to take a 24-18 lead into halftime. The 'Roos pushed the margin to 41-34 at the end of three, and the lead was 52-45 with under two minutes left in the game. 

After holding a five point lead in the closing minute, the Owls got a triple to cut it to 56-54 with two seconds remaining but Lexi Martin knocked down a free throw and MUW was unable to get a shot off before time expired, making it a 57-54 final score. The 'Roos shot just 27% from the field in the game and hit just 5-of-24 three pointers, while MUW had a team shooting percentage of 31.9% and made 5-of-12 from long range. The Owls also outscored Austin College 19-18 from the free throw line, but the 'Roos hounded them into 27 turnovers, leading to 30 points off of turnovers while MUW only managed to convert 19 Austin College turnovers into four points.

Martin scored 19 points and made 4-of-10 from three point range to pace the 'Roos, adding five rebounds and three steals, and Avory Miller notched a double-double with 16 points, 11 rebounds, four assists, four steals, and a blocked shot, while Emma Potts came off the bench to contribute eight points and seven rebounds. Conley Langford had 17 points and 11 rebounds for MUW, and Mia Bowen added 17 points and 10 boards. Austin College opens up Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference play on Wednesday when they host the University of Dallas at 8:00 p.m. in Hughey Gym.