SHERMAN, Texas – Southwestern posted an eight point comeback in two and a half minutes to pull within two but ultimately fell 97-94 on Friday night to Austin College.
After scoring the opening basket SU quickly found themselves down 12-4 three minutes into the game. Southwestern trailed by as many as 17 points, 37-20 with 8:25 to play in the half, but the Pirates had cut the lead down to 10, 48-38, by halftime.
Eric Garza kicked off the second half with a three on the opening possession to pull SU within seven, 48-41. With 12 minutes to play Austin College extended their lead back to 16, 71-55, but the Pirates refused to go quietly into the night and menacingly hung around.
With 2:52 on the clock Southwestern was down 12, 93-81, and seemed to be running out of time. Blake Scott started the run with a pair of layups in the next two possessions to bring SU within eight and three, threes pulled SU within two, 96-94 with seven seconds to go. The 'Roos made one of two on the free throw line at the other end, but Chris Lee's last second three was just off the mark as the final buzzer sounded, ended the Pirates' comeback bid.
Southwestern shot 46.4% from the floor and 38.1% from the free throw line and was led by Scott's 23 points. Chase Kocher added in 16 off the bench and Kurtz 15. Michael Cantu and Sean Myers also had double digit nights with 13 points and 10 points respectively.
Austin College shot an amazing 53.8% from the floor and 58.6% from three point range and was led by Alan Sullivan's 23 points.
With the outstanding shooting by both teams rebounds were scarce, but SU did win the battle of the boards 33-30.
The loss drops Southwestern to 6-13 on the year and 3-7 in the SCAC while Austin improves to 7-13 overall and 4-6 in conference action. The Pirates hit the road for a quick turnaround, facing Centenary College on Saturday at 4 p.m.