Austin College Rallies to Defeat Crusaders

IRVING, Texas - The University of Dallas men's basketball team lost their conference matchup with Austin College 87-80 this afternoon.  They fall to 3-7 on the year and 1-2 in conference play.

The Crusaders got off to a hot start, jumping out to a 22-8 lead after the first nine minutes.  But the momentum shofted rather suddenly in Austin's favor and for much of the remaining 30 minutes of the game, they looked to be the team in the driver's seat.  The Roos, who were a dismal 4-14 from the field during the Crusaders' run of dominance, went on to outscore Dallas 33-21 the rest of the first half.  The Crusaders made one just field goal in the five minute stretch that saw Austin take a 30-29 lead, managing to reclaim the lead at the buzzer with a three-pointer by Cameran Hyde to take a 43-41 lead into halftime.  

Though the teams traded blows for much of the early stages in the second half, with the Crusaders leading by as much as seven points, the Roostook a 59-58 lead  with 11 minutes left on the clock and never gave up the lead again.  Dallas replicated their dry spell from the first half, once again making just one field goal in a five minute stretch in the middle of the period, the Roos clinging to a 64-60 lead at the time.  Though the Crusaders kept themselves within striking distance, they came up just short when they needed it most, going 1-9 from the field in the final three minutes.

Six different players for Dallas notched double-digit points, with all five starters reaching the mark and Jack Boyle adding 14 points and seven rebounds off the bench.  Louis Christifano Jr. led the team with 15 points, while Letrell Toussaint recorded his fourth double-double of the season with 11 points and 12 rebounds.

Up Next

The Crusaders break for Christmas, but are right back at it on Wednesday, Dec. 29 with a non-conference tune-up aginst Luther College (IA).  The game is set for a 2:00 p.m. tip-off.