Men's Basketball falls to Austin College in close game

SHERMAN, Texas - The University of Dallas men's basketball team (4-21) was defeated on Tuesday evening by the Austin College Kangaroos, 59-56.

After the first-half of play, Dallas led Austin College, 25-22, with the Crusaders shooting 36 percent (9-of-25) from the field in the initial period. Though the Kangaroos countered by shooting 40.7 percent (11-of-27) from the field, Dallas capitalized at the free throw line -- the Crusaders went 6-of-7 from the charity stripe in the opening period, while Austin College missed their lone free throw attempt.

In the second half, Dallas was outscored 37-31 by Austin College, leading to a three point victory for the Kangaroos. Though the Crusaders went 13-of-14 from the free throw line in the final period, they were held to 30.8 percent (8-of-26) shooting from the field. On the other end of the spectrum, Austin College in the second-half of play, shot 46.9 percent (15-of-32) from the field and went 6-of-8 from the charity stripe.

Barrett Brown (Phoenix, Ariz./Mountain Pointe H.S.) recorded a game-high 21 points on 6-of-16 shooting from the field, including netting 3-of-9 from distance and finishing 6-of-7 from the free throw line. Dallas' junior guard also totaled three rebounds and four steals.

Meanwhile, Crusader freshman forward Ross Davidson (San Juan Capistrano, Calif./JSerra Catholic H.S.) wasn't far behind Brown, pouring in 20 points on 6-of-13 shooting from the field, and putting home 8-of-9 from the free throw line. Davidson also amassed seven rebounds, two assists, two blocks and a steal.

Up next for Dallas will be a trip to Santa Cruz, Calif., where they'll participate in the DIII Independents Post-season Tournament, held on the campus of UC Santa Cruz. The Crusaders will play Chapman University (CA) on Friday, Feb. 25, at 5:00 p.m. PST/7 p.m. CST. Dallas fell to Chapman at home earlier the season, 66-51.