Women's Basketball holds on at end to Notch Conference Opener at Austin College

SHERMAN, Texas – The University of Dallas (7-2, 1-0 SCAC) held on the final seconds to close out a thrilling 64-63 victory in the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference opener at Austin College (5-6, 0-1 SCAC) on Saturday afternoon.                

Dallas has won four in a row, marking a season-high and improves to 3-2 away from the Maher Athletic Center. After a back-and-forth opening frame, the Roos' of Austin College would control the momentum and led by as many as seven, 26-19, with about six and half minutes til intermission.

UD responded in the ensuing minutes posting eight unanswered points capped by a three-pointer from sophomore Sammy Tso (Las Vegas, Nev.) to lift the road team to its first edge 27-26. The Lady Crusaders closed the final five minutes on a 12-4 run to lead 31-28 at halftime.

Out of the break the navy and white notched five points in a row to extend the advantage and momentum throughout the first 10 minutes of the second stanza. UD's opened its greatest lead of the frame with 8:58 remaining by 14.

Austin College countered nipping the deficit to three on a few occasions in the final four minutes of regulation. The home squad trailed 64-63 and maintained final possession after Tso missed the first of a one-and-one free throw.

Dallas would contain the Roos' offense in the final 19 seconds, denying two attempts including a final jumper near the post with two seconds left to give the Lady Crusaders the league win and first victory at Hughey Gym since a 62-60 decision on February 3, 2010. It also snapped a three-game slide versus Austin College.

Senior Marleyna Bustamante (Donna, Texas) paced the navy and white offense with a season-best 19 points. Fellow classmate Brooke Hagemann (Oklahoma City, Okla.) chipped in 15 while sophomore Seana Stoia (Tulsa, Okla.) added 12.

The trio of double figure scoring performers were crucial in the post for UD, tying the team-high with seven rebounds apiece.

Dallas outshot the Roos' 37.5-percent to 34.4-percent from the field in the contest, and also held a 40-38 edge on the boards.

Leading AC with 13 points was Jenna Longo, who went 5-of-7 shooting from the floor. Rounding out the double-digit scoring unit with 12 points each were Christina Kime and Kali Vittallo.

Kendall Heitmeier contributed nine points and Erin Riley led all players for the Roos' with 11 rebounds. Austin College outscored the Lady Crusaders 27-12 in points from the bench.

Next Opponent:

Dallas returns to the Maher Athletic Center on Monday for a 5:30 p.m. tip-off versus Hendrix College. It will be the second time the squads meet on the court for a non-conference affair this season.