Saints Lose Heartbreaker to Texas College

SAN ANTONIO, Texas – The Our Lady of the Lake (OLLU) men's basketball team dropped a Red River Athletic Conference (RRAC) game on Saturday afternoon in heartbreaking fashion, falling 82-81 to Texas College (TC). The loss drops the Saints to 15-6 overall on the season and 11-6 in conference play.

In the early goings of the contest, the Saints managed to build a 9-4 lead before Texas College scored eight unanswered points to take the lead. OLLU answered the Steers run with a 7-0 run of their own to regain the lead with 12:31 to play in the opening half. Texas College built its lead to eight points with 2:37 to play but a 6-0 run by the Saints that featured four points from Rob Gil made it a one possession game as the end of the half neared. With the Saints trailing by one and just seconds left on the clock before halftime, Kenyon Elliot knocked down a buzzer-beating triple to send the Saints into the break with a 46-44 lead.

Neither team could pull away during the second half as six points was the largest margin of the half. With 10:00 left to play, Texas College held a 64-62 lead. Five minutes later, Breion Powell evened the game at 70 with a triple off the Gil assist. Seconds later the Steers knocked down a three to jump back in front, but Elliot responded with one of his own to keep the game square at 73. Powell put the Saints ahead 74-73 as he went 1-for-2 at the free throw line.

With just 18 seconds left to go and OLLU trailing 82-79, a Powell layup made it 82-81. A TC turnover with 10 seconds left gave the Saints some life as they would have the last shot to win the game. After a busted play and loose ball, the Saints maintained possession with two seconds and one last chance. Lonzo Rand took the inbound and rose for a potential game-winner. The jump shot went in and out as the buzzer sounded, ending the game.

Five Saints finished with double figures led by Powell with 14 points. Rand netted 13 points and Gil 12. Elliot and Arthur Celestin each chipped in with 10 points.

OLLU shot the ball well in the loss, shooting 57 percent from the field and 58 percent from long distance. The Saints committed a season-high 25 turnover in the loss.

Up Next

OLLU will return to action on Tuesday, January 28 as they host North American University inside Mabee Gymnasium. Tipoff is set for 7:30 p.m.

For the latest news, updates, and information on the OLLU Saints, fans can visit ollusaintsathletics.com. Fans can also stay up to date on the latest Saints news by following @ollusaintsathletics on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.