No, 16 Roadrunners Pull Away Late to Win Season Opener

By GARY STALLARD

AC Athletics

The Roadrunner Pep Band was loud, the Student Section was louder and the Angelina College Roadrunners used it all for fuel to top Hinds Community College 56-49 in AC's season opener Monday at Shands Gymnasium.

AC, ranked No. 16 in the NJCAA's pre-season national polls, boasted the nation's top defensive last season, and the team showed it hasn't lost its step on that end of the floor, holding the Bulldogs to just 25 points in the first half.

The problem for the 'Runners was that Hinds was just as proficient on the defensive side, limiting AC to just 26 points over the same 20-minute period.

However, the Roadrunners used a layup from Kai'Ree Murry and a three-pointer from Zacc Sells to build an 11-point cushion midway through the second half, and the team relied on its defense to hold off a late Hinds rally for the win.

Clarence Payia led the Roadrunners in scoring in his AC debut, finishing with 16 points. Jordan Mathews added 10 points and Murray eight in the win. Daemon Ely added eight rebounds and three assists.

Daveon Henry led Hinds CC with 18 points, while teammate Austin Ratliff added 14 points.   

The Roadrunners (1-0) next will face Southern Arkansas University Tech on Tuesday, Nov. 11 at Shands Gymnasium. Game time is set for 7 p.m.

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