Bulldogs Balanced Attack; Explosive Second Half Sparks Win Over Austin

SEGUIN, TX -- Four Bulldogs finished in double-figures as Texas Lutheran men's basketball defeated Austin College, 73-62, at Memorial Gymnasium on Friday night.

Senior Sebastian Andrade (El Paso/Americas) led the way for the Bulldogs with a 13 point, 10 rebound double-double - leading the Bulldogs in both categories.

Xavier Phillips (Austin/Dripping Springs) had 12 points, including a jaw-dropping alley-oop via an assist from Isaac Orozco (Helotes/O'Connor), to go along with six rebounds. Orozco would join Phillips in double-figures with 11 points in addition to a team-high four assists. Freshman Riley Fornerette (Surprise, Ariz./Dysart) would score 10 points off the bench rounding out the Bulldogs in double figures.

Texas Lutheran (9-14, 7-8 SCAC) overcame a first half deficit with a 43-point second half that saw the Bulldogs shoot 44.8% from the field. The Bulldogs also shined defensively forcing 18 'Roos turnovers. Texas Lutheran would hold the 'Roos (5-19, 2-13 SCAC) to 27.6% shooting in the second half.

Isaac Orozco was active in an otherwise stagnant start to the game for the Bulldogs - scoring the Bulldogs first five points. Both teams struggled from the field to start, thus the first half became a back-and-forth battle that would see the 'Roos come out on top as they would carry a 34-30 lead into the break.

The Bulldogs finally got rolling in the second half - leading by as much as 19 points following a 23-4 run over the course of six minutes in the second half. The 'Roos attempted to rally as the Bulldogs lead would dwindle down to 11 points, but the 'Roos would never lower the lead to single digits.

With the win, Texas Lutheran clinches their spot in the SCAC Tournament next weekend in Sherman, Texas. Saturday's contest vs. Centenary will determine the fourth-seed as the two teams are tied for fourth in the conference entering Saturday, Feb. 19. Saturday's home finale vs. Centenary is scheduled for a 2 PM tip-off with Senior Day festivities set to follow the men's basketball game. All streaming and stat links can be found on tlubulldogs.com.