Second Quarter Surge Propels 'Roos Over LeTourneau

LONGVIEW, Texas - Brooklyn Matthews scored a game-high 19 points and Lexi Martin added 18 as Austin College utilized a dominant second-quarter surge to defeat LeTourneau University 72-57 on Saturday evening at Solheim Arena. The victory improves the 'Roos to 11-8 overall and 8-2 in SCAC play, and marks the team's sixth straight win.

The contest began as a stalemate, with both teams ending the first quarter knotted at 20-20. However, Austin College seized control in the second frame, outscoring LeTourneau 32-10. Martin was clinical from beyond the arc, finishing the night 5-of-8 from three-point range, while Matthews provided the interior punch by shooting 8-of-11 from the floor. A late three-pointer by Martin just before the halftime buzzer capped a massive run that sent the 'Roos into the locker room with a 52-30 advantage.

LeTourneau attempted to claw back in the second half, led by Mariana Espinosa, who tallied 13 points and seven assists. The YellowJackets managed to trim the deficit by outscoring Austin 13-8 in a low-scoring third period, but they were unable to overcome the 22-point halftime hole. Kaylin Cervantes contributed 12 points and eight rebounds off the bench for the hosts, while Kylie Weeks added 11 points and four steals.

Austin College's defense proved to be the difference-maker, forcing 20 LeTourneau turnovers and converting them into 20 points. Avory Miller anchored the floor game for the Kangaroos with five points, six rebounds, four assists, and four steals. Trinity Williams and Kaylee Smith each chipped in nine points to round out a balanced offensive effort. Despite a late 7-0 run by the YellowJackets in the final minutes, a fast-break layup by Smith in the closing seconds provided the final exclamation point for the Kangaroos.

Austin College dominated the glass, outrebounding LeTourneau 42-35, and effectively used their depth to maintain a double-digit lead throughout the entire fourth quarter. The Kangaroos finished the game shooting 43% from the field, including eight made three-pointers, to secure the pivotal road win.