The Oglethorpe University men's basketball team defeated Austin College on Pinholster Court on Friday night, 76-70. The Petrels used a swarming, in-your-face defense that held the Kangaroos to just 36.6% shooting from the field on their way to the huge conference win.

The two teams traded blows early and often in the contest with the lead changing hands seven times in the first half. The Petrels finally wrested control of the game during a run that began at the 14 minute mark and turned a 16-16 tie into a 31-21 lead at the 6:52 mark. When the dust finally settled in the first half the Petrels took a 43-34 lead into the locker room.

Oglethorpe kept Austin College at bay for most of the second half before a late 7-0 run turned a 10 point 68-58 Oglethorpe lead into a tight, 68-65 game with only 90 seconds remaining. That's when the Petrels went to work on their biggest offensive possession of the night and turned it into gold. After the shot clock dwindled to 4 seconds, David Allison hoisted a three that came off the rim before a hustling Erik Strong secured a huge loose-ball rebound with only a minute remaining. Oglethorope reset the offense and, with only 40 seconds left, Strong found a cutting Allison for an easy left-handed lay-up that lifted Oglethorpe to the win.

Four Petrels recorded double-figures on the night with Joe Kennedy leading the way with 15 points. Wade Weldon chipped in 14 points on 5 of 10 shooting and Todd Ward posted 12 points and 10 rebounds in the win. Alex Richey recorded 13 points and 9 rebounds while Allison just missed double-digits with 9 points on the evening.

The Petrels connected on a stellar 22 of 26 free throw attempts for an 85% success rate that kept the Kangaroos in their rearview mirror throughout the second stanza.

With the win Oglethorope is now 10-6 on the season and 5-3 in SCAC play. The Petrels take to the hardwood again this Sunday when they square off with Colorado College at 2:00 p.m.