SCAC-opener sees Austin College outlast Men's Basketball, 65-59, despite Bruffey's game-high 23 points and nine-rebounds for Crusaders

IRVING, Texas - The University of Dallas men's basketball team (1-6, 0-1 SCAC) fell 65-59 early Saturday evening to Austin College at the Maher Athletic Center to begin Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference (SCAC) play. 

In the first-half of the SCAC contest, the Dallas squad made just 23.1-percent (6-of-26) of their field goals, including a mere 22.2-percent (2-of-9) of their 3-pointer attempts. 

They were able to keep it close, trailing by seven at halftime, because of quality free-throw shooting, making 8-of-9 free-throw attempts. 

Offensively, 6-foot-5 junior forward Tanner Bruffey (Lubbock, Texas/Home School) led the Crusaders with 23-points while shooting a high volume, netting 6-of-20. Bruffey also led Dallas with nine-rebounds in 39-minutes of play. 

5-foot-9 sophomore guard Braeton Hightower (Owasso, Okla./Owasso H.S.) also enter double-figure scoring for the Crusaders, amassing 10-points on 3-of-9 shooting from the field, including a 2-of-6 effor from 3-point range. He also sank both his free-throw attempts, in addition to hauling-in two rebounds and dishing two assists in 21-minutes on the court.

Dallas also committed 19-turnovers in the loss, compared to 13 for Austin College.

Dallas outscored Austin, 37-36, in the second-half on 47.4-percent (9-of-19) shooting, while the Kangaroos put home 42.9-percent (12-of-28) from the field. Dallas' advantage in the half came on a 17-of-25 clip from the free-throw line, in comparison to Austin's mark of 9-of-13.

Ransom Okpala and Josh Saunders scored 14 and 18 points, respectively, and the Crusaders' inability to completely shut them down over the stretch of the second-half led to a 16-point Kangaroo victory.

Next opponent: 

Dallas will head to to San Antonio to battle Trinity University on Friday, Dec. 16, in a 7 p.m. game with the Tigers.