Crusaders Unable to Maintain Strong Start; Drop Opener at Austin College on Friday

SHERMAN, Texas – The University of Dallas women's basketball team battled Austin College to a 93-73 setback on Friday in the first of two away Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference (SCAC) games. A Crusaders team that was selected ninth in the preseason poll led over the favorites by eight points after one quarter. The 2020 SCAC Tournament Champions kicked things into gear in the second quarter by outscoring UD 30-12. The Crusaders narrowed the deficit to 10 (56-46) with 3:20 left in the third, but the 'Roos held control the rest of the game.

Eight Crusaders made their collegiate debuts tonight, with a quartet of them reaching double-digits in points to lead the squad. The highest scorer for Dallas was freshman Raylee Minich (Crowley, Texas) with 16 points. She was 6-for-9 overall shooting and a sizzling 4-for-5 from downtown.

The remaining top scorers were starters Alyssa Sullivan (Wylie, Texas) with 14 points, Amber Turner (Rogers, Ark.), and Camille Fowler (Helotes, Texas), each had 11 points. Beyonce Perry (Lake Jackson, Texas) was the UD top rebounder with seven.

In the first quarter, UD's defense held the Austin College scoreless the last five minutes until a late triple before time expired by Megan O'Neil. Meanwhile, Minich put the Crusaders up 13-11 and started a span of 11 straight points. Minich, Sullivan, and Turner were responsible for all the points during that five-minute run. 

The 'Roos quickly closed the gap over the first four minutes in the second quarter by netting 10 straight points to go up 28-27 with 6:22 left. UD regained a 32-28 lead thanks to a Sullivan basket and Minich trifecta. The last time Dallas stayed tied was at 34-34 with a little under three minutes.

Austin College would go on a 16-2 run to finish the half up 10 points with a 44-34 advantage. The Crusaders were outscored by eight in the third and two in the fourth, as they could not recapture that earlier momentum to close the margin.

Dallas shot 38.8 percent from the floor, but hit 12 three-pointers with six players finding the bottom of the net from deep. The 'Roos shot 48.1 percent and were ahead in most of the team stat categories including 48-41 in rebounds, 32-15 for points off turnovers, and 50-26 for points in the paint. UD made 20 turnovers, while the 'Roos committed 14.

Sarah Gwin led all players with 19 points. Ally Longaker posted a double-double with 15 points and 12 rebounds.

These teams play each other on Saturday at 1 p.m. at Austin College.