No. 14 Roadrunners Outlast Southern Arkansas University Tech

By GARY STALLARD

AC Athletics

(Photo by Angel Arevalo)

            Angelina College head coach J.J. Montgomery afterward referred to the game as a "dogfight."

            That was as apt a description as any other could have been.

            The No. 14 Roadrunners had their hands full with a tough Southern Arkansas University Tech squad on Tuesday, with AC using some big shots late in the game to pull away for a 65-60 win at Shands Gymnasium.

            Those big shots were critical considering how the game played out as a real defensive battle. The Rockets held the Roadrunners to 38 percent shooting from the field, including a 4-for-15 result from three-point range.

            On the flip side, the 'Runners were just as good defensively, limiting SAU Tech to a 42 percent shooting effort while forcing 18 turnovers, including 14 steals.

            With both teams able to stymie the offensive attacks, every made shot became even bigger, as the teams traded late leads, with the largest lead of the game an eight-point cushion midway through the second half.

            Then, with 1:49 to play, AC's Zacc Sells hit a jumper, Cedric Jones grabbed a defensive rebound leading to a Daemon Ely layup and Kai'Ree Murry closed out the win with a pair of free throws with 16 seconds remaining in the game.

            Murray led the 'Runners with 15 points, followed by Jaden Spears with 13 and Jordan Mathews with nine.

            Ja'Varius Thompson led the Rockets with 20 points in the loss.

            The Roadrunners (3-0) next will host Strength N' Motion on Monday, Nov. 17. Game time at Shands Gymnasium is 6 p.m.

            The game will be live streamed on TSBN Sports.

            The email address for AC's Sports Information Director is gstallard@angelina.edu.