GEORGETOWN, Texas — Texas Lutheran University Bulldogs guard Sebastian Andrade hit three free throws in the final 23 seconds to defeat the Southwestern University Pirates men's basketball team 78-76.
In a back and forth game with 10 ties and 11 lead changes, with most of that coming in the second half, Brandon Alexander hit a pair of free throws to the Pirates up one with 36 seconds remaining in the game.
Andrade, who scorched the Pirates for 20 of his game-high 29 points in the second half, drew a foul with 26 seconds resining, hitting both free throws to put Texas Lutheran up 77-76.
Southwestern point guard Kyle Howard had a good driving look with five seconds remaining but missed the floater. After Andrade hit one of two free throws, the Pirates had an opportunity with one second remaining, inbounding from underneath their own basket, but turned the ball over on the long pass as time ran out.
The Pirates led by as much as 13 points, opening with a strong inside-out game led by Trenton Garrett and guard Preston Hannah, who combined for 22 points on 10 shots in the first half.
Garrett worked diligently without the ball, rooting himself into pockets of space and ball and bodies moved around him. The Pirates' starting center used his body to seal off smaller defenders and his length to provide a vertical target for lobs over the top of the defense for 12 of his 18 points in the first half, hitting his first five shots.
Hannah worked with a quick trigger in the half, scoring 10 before the break on 4-for-5 shooting, including 2-for-3 from deep, finishing with 12 points on seven shots.
Southwestern moved the ball well in the first half, assisting on 10 of its 15 made baskets, shooting 15-for-27 (55.6 percent), including 4-for-7 from long range to lead 40-33 at the break.
Andrade took over in the second half, worming his way into the paint, pivoting into small cracks of space, and hitting tough shots over the defense or drawing a foul (7-for-9 from the free-throw line in the half). When the Pirates were able to smother the initial dribble penetration, sharpshooter Jorden Kite hit a pair of difficult 3-pointers at crucial moments, finishing with 13 points, four assists, and three steals.
Alexander scored seven of his 13 points in the second half but shot just 5-for-13, finishing as the Pirates third and final scorer in double figures. Forward Andrew Puhl had nine points on four shots off the bench.
With the loss, the Pirates drop to 9-10 on the season and 5-7 in conference play. Southwestern will host Centenary on Friday, Feb. 7, looking to avenge an earlier 84-74 loss on Jan. 10.
