Texas Lutheran Pulls Away Late to Snap 'Roo Winning Streak

SEGUIN, Texas - Despite a mid-game surge that saw them briefly take the lead in the third quarter, the Austin College women's basketball team fell 73-60 to Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference rival Texas Lutheran University on Saturday night at Memorial Gymnasium. The defeat snaps a six game winning streak for the 'Roos.

The 'Roos established an early advantage when Trinity Williams drilled a three-pointer at the 8:30 mark of the opening period to give Austin College a 5-0 lead. Texas Lutheran responded with a steady effort to take a 33-27 lead into the locker room at halftime, but Austin College came out firing in the second half. Maya Dodson capped a resilient comeback by sinking a triple with 3:31 remaining in the third quarter, handing the 'Roos a 40-39 lead. The momentum shifted back to the home side less than a minute later when TLU's Noelani Ajel answered with a three-pointer of her own to reclaim a lead the Bulldogs would not relinquish.

Austin College remained within striking distance early in the final frame, trailing 47-46 following a Dodson jumper with 9:16 left to play. However, the Bulldogs pulled away down the stretch by capitalizing on 20-of-22 shooting from the free-throw line, including an 11-of-12 performance in the fourth quarter.

Dodson led the scoring effort for Austin College with 14 points, fueled by four three-pointers, and added two steals. Avory Miller finished with 13 points and five rebounds, while Taiyla Williams chipped in 12 points before fouling out late in the game. Trinity Williams and Brooklyn Matthews each anchored the glass with six rebounds apiece. For Texas Lutheran, Lauren Sansano led all scorers with 21 points and five steals, while Sarahi Jones recorded a standout defensive performance with eight rebounds and five blocked shots.

Austin College shot 41.7% from the field and matched the Bulldogs with 28 points in the paint but was hampered by 15 turnovers that TLU converted into 19 points. The 'Roos, now 11-9 overall and 8-3 in the SCAC, will look to bounce back on Sunday when they head to Austin to take on Concordia University Texas.