DAYTONA, Fla.  – Hardin-Simmons' Cowgirl basketball team defeated the William Smith Herons 76-52 on Monday afternoon to win the first game of the Mauro Panaggio Tournament hosted by SUNY Brockport in Daytona, Fla.
 
The Cowgirls advance in the winner's bracket to play Plattsburgh State on Tuesday in Florida starting at 12 p.m. central time.
 
The Cowgirls rolled to start the game with an 11-0 run against William Smith, ending with a first-quarter lead 21-5. HSU shot 43% in the opening quarter making 7-16 shots with two 3-pointers.
 
The Cowgirls led 36-18 heading into halftime over the Herons. HSU scored 25 points in the third and 15 points in the fourth quarter to finish off William Smith 76-52 on Monday afternoon.
 
Hardin-Simmons ended shooting 39% from the field with 27-69 makes. The Cowgirls had 44 rebounds to 29 rebounds by the Herons and HSU assisted 17 times.
 
Madison Williams led the Cowgirls in scoring with 19 points against William Smith. She led HSU with five assists.
 
Aiken Semones scored 16 points for the Cowgirls, including four made 3-pointers to lead the team.
 
Hardin-Simmons improves to 10-1 on the year and will face the Plattsburgh State Cardinals on Tuesday at 12 noon in Daytona, Fla. At the Mauro Panaggio Tournament.
 
--- www.hsuathletics.com ---