Crusaders Tumble at Austin College
SHERMAN, Texas - The University of Dallas women's basketball team was defeated by the 'Roos of Austin College 80-41 on Tuesday. The 'Roos (16-3, 9-1 SCAC) dominated all facets of the game except field goal and three-point percentage. The Crusaders (1-18, 1-10 SCAC) won that effort shooting 17-40 (42.5 percent) from the field and 5-14 (35.7 percent) from behind the arc but were unable to avoid mental mistakes. AC forced 32 turnovers converting 39 of its points off of these mishaps. AC stayed atop the SCAC standings commanding the paint, scoring 44 points in this area. AC also won the rebound battle 40-32 including 17 on the offensive side of the ball.
The 'Roos opened up the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference (SCAC) contest scoring the first seven points. At the 6:05 mark Faith Starnes (Bryan, Texas) put the Crusaders on the board with a three-pointer. Jules Oliveti (Southlake, Texas) then found an open layup to help UD get closer. Starnes hit another trey, but AC was led by Bryce Frank in the opening frame with 9 points as AC found a 14-9 lead after one quarter. Both teams went scoreless in the final two and half minutes.
Oliveti hit a jumper followed by another Starnes three-pointer to pull Dallas even with the 'Roos to open the second period. But Addison Walling and Frank went on a terror with a 15-0 run of their own to secure a 29-14 lead. Kacie West joined her teammates by adding seven points towards the end of the quarter to give AC a 38-18 halftime lead. Frank (17) and Starnes (11) both led their respective teams in points at the break.
AC had a 10-2 advantage to open up the second half. Gracie Williams (Midwest City, Okla.) and Vanessa Diaz (San Antonio, Texas) got UD going in the third with made layups by each to prevent any bigger runs by AC. Williams hit a big three-pointer, but UD was outscored 21-12 in the third. Williams and Diaz scored all 12 points for UD in that frame.
Williams led UD in the fourth quarter with five points. Oliveti, Diaz, and Olivia Severson (La Crosse, Wis.) each added a basket. AC kept the pressure on scoring 21 points in the final frame to grab the victory.
Williams led the Crusaders with 13 points and securing five rebounds. Starnes totaled 11 points and six boards, as Diaz marked eight points and led the team in rebounds (7). Olivetti added seven points.
Frank finished with 28 points and 11 rebounds. Ally Longaker contributed 11 points and nine boards, while Walling and Kacie West both had nine points. Ann Savage led the 'Roos in assists by dishing out 10 as the team combined for 25 total. AC notched 20 steals and converted 18 fastbreak points on the night while only turning the ball over eight times.
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Dallas will finish the non-conference part of its schedule by hosting Southwestern Adventist University on Saturday (2/2). First tip is set for 6:30 p.m.