PINEVILLE, La. — Louisiana College overcame an 18-point second half deficit to beat the Hardin-Simmons women's basketball team 79-66 in American Southwest Conference action at the West Fieldhouse in Pineville, La., on Thursday night.

The Cowgirls started off hot as they hit 10 of their first 12 shots in the game and led by 17 on three different occasions in the first half and had a 40-24 halftime lead after shooting 17-of-27 in the first half and holding LC to 9-for-35 from the field.

HSU scored the first basket of the second half and led 42-24 and the Wildcats scored six straight to cut it to 12. HSU weathered that storm and LC had a 7-0 run to cut it to 48-38 with 15:12 to play. HSU still led 55-44 with 12:07 to play but the Wildcats scored 15 straight points to take a 59-55 lead with 7:47 to play.

Taylor Klement had a 3-point play for HSU with 6:57 to play to stem the tide, but LC scored the next eight points and HSU was never closer than six the rest of the game.  

The Wildcats were able to turn it around in the second half hitting 17-of-35 shots, including 6-of-14 from 3-point range and 15-of-20 at the free throw line for a 55-point half.

HSU had a tough time with the Wildcats full-court pressure, turning the ball over 34 times, including 20 in the second half. LC scored 22 points in the second half off of HSU turnovers.

Taylor Klement led four Cowgirls in double figures with 15 points. Joanna Daniel had 12 points, Shelby Hanna added 11 and Lauren Thomas chipped in 10.

Skylar Chenevert led LC with 17 points and Natosha Morvant added 15.

HSU is now 7-12 overall and 7-10 in ASC action. LC improved to 12-7 overall and 10-6 in league play. The Cowgirls will play at Louisiana College on Saturday at 1 p.m.

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