CLARKSVILLE, Ark. — Hardin-Simmons' women's basketball team picked up its first win of the season with a 71-60 win over the University of the Ozarks on Thursday afternoon at the Mabee Gym in Clarksville, Ark.

The game was pushed up because of the weather to give HSU a chance to get out of town before the heavy precipitation hits the area.

The Cowgirls took a 33-29 halftime lead, led by a balanced attack that saw nine players score.

HSU scored the first five points of the second half to push the lead to 38-29 just 54 seconds into the second half. A Lauren Thomas 3-pointer gave HSU a 44-33 lead with 14:32 to play in the game.

Ozarks made a push at the Cowgirls and cut the lead down to 49-47 with 7:35 to play, but HSU scored the next nine points on a jumper by Taylor Klement, a layup by Shelby Hanna a 3-pointer by Kourtney Holyfield and a jumper by Joanna Daniel.

HSU led by at least seven points the rest of the way and hit 5-of-6 free throws in the final :36 to seal the win.

HSU had a balanced attack that was led by Klement, who scored a career-best 15 points. Holyfield had 10 points, seven rebounds and five assists and Sara Vargas had a career-best 10 points.

Ashley Hipps led Ozarks with 16 points, Tamara Wilkett added 15 and Taylor Farmer had 13.

The win snapped an eight-game losing streak dating back to last season. HSU is 1-4 on the year and 1-1 in ASC play. The Cowgirls will play at Texas-Tyler on Saturday at 1 p.m. Ozarks fell to 1-5 on the year and 0-3 in league play.

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