CONWAY, Ark. - The Hendrix College men's basketball team held on to defeat Texas Lutheran University 81-77 on the opening day of the Cliff Garrison Classic at Grove Gymnasium Saturday.
The Warriors (2-4) jumped out to a 16-5 lead early in the game. The Bulldogs (3-3) chipped the deficit down to a point, but the Orange & Black pushed their lead back out to 10 points before taking a 48-41 advantage into the break.
Hendrix led the entire second half, but TLU cut the lead to two twice in the final minute. Warrior sophomore guard
Preston Smith hit a free throw to make the game 76-71 with 36 seconds left, but TLU's Michael Sullivan hit a three to make it 76-74 at the 29 second mark. Another free throw from Smith and two more by senior guard
Travis Garrett pushed the lead back to 79-74 with 17 seconds remaining. Jordan Kouremetis also made a three to make it 79-77 with 10 seconds left. Hendrix freshman
Jacob Link sealed the win with a pair of free throws with seven seconds left.
The Warriors hit 14 three-pointers, the fourth most in school history. For the game, they shot 46.2 percent (24-of-52) from the field, 14-of-28 from three-point range and 19-of-28 at the free throw line with 32 rebounds, 20 assists, 10 turnovers, four blocks and six assists. The Bulldogs shot 46 percent (29-of-63) from the floor, 5-of-17 outside and 14-of-19 at the line with 40 rebounds, 21 assists, 13 turnovers, three blocks and two steals.
Hendrix Notes
- Smith was 6-of-8 from three-point territory, en route to 24 points.
- Garrett finished with a season-high 17 points and six rebounds with four assists.
- Senior guard
Hank Aldous had 12 points, eight boards, four assists, two blocks and a steal.
- Sophomore forward
Bryce Batchelor scored seven points with two assists.
- Link finished with six points, six rebounds, two assists and three steals.
Texas Lutheran Notes
- Koeremetis led TLU with 15 points.
- Sullivan scored 12 points with five assists.
- Matthew Gillette came off the bench for 12 points and 17 rebounds.
- Blake Ray recorded 12 points, seven rebounds, three assists and two blocks.
Up Next
Hendrix will finish the Classic with Rust College Sunday at 5 p.m.
