BOX SCORE

By Alan Wiederhold
Sports Information Director

SHERMAN, Texas – The Austin College Kangaroos jumped out to a 16-point halftime lead and never looked back as they raced to an 80-64 win over LeTourneau in the YellowJackets' season-opener Friday at AC's Bob Mason Classic.

Sophomore guard Jace Williamson (Van Alstyne, Texas/Van Alstyne) and freshman guard Jarrod Hudgens (Montgomery, Texas/Montgomery) each scored a team-high nine points to lead the YellowJackets (0-1).

Williamson (pictured), one of five returners for the YellowJackets, also handed out three assists in 31 minutes of action.

Jordan Hancock scored a game-high 18 points for Austin College (1-1). Teammate Josh Sunders added 17 points and a game-high seven rebounds for the Kangaroos.

The Jackets drained 11 out of their 16 2-point field goal tries in the first half (69 percent), but had trouble with their other shots. LeTourneau shot 1-of-8 from behind the arc in the first half, and was 1-of-18 from long range by game's end.

Adding to the first half deficit was the Jackets' inability to make free throws, as LeTourneau players shot 3-of-11 from the stripe prior to halftime.

The comeback effort was further hindered by the Jackets' 33 turnovers. Meanwhile, the Kangaroos ball-handling abilities were far from pristine, as Austin College gave the ball away 32 times.

The Jackets are a very young squad this season, as nine players made their collegiate debuts for LeTourneau against Austin College.

The YellowJackets return to action Saturday at 1 p.m. when they face the University of Dallas in the third game of the Bob Mason Classic.