BELTON, Texas – Hardin-Simmons' Cowgirl basketball team defeated the Mary Hardin-Baylor Cru 88-85 in overtime on the road to clinch the American Southwest Conference regular season championship and will host the ASC Tournament next weekend in Abilene.
 
The Cowgirls went into the day needing a win to own the ASC regular season title and clinch the No. 1 overall seed in the tournament.
 
Paris Kiser had a career-high with 36 points, shooting 12-22 and 4-8 from downtown to lead the Cowgirl offense.
 
There were 16 lead changes in the game, including ten in the fourth quarter alone. Two free throws by UMHB took the lead 79-77 with 32 seconds left in the fourth quarter.
 
A clutch jumper from Parris Parmer tied the game at 79-79 with 21 seconds left, and the Cowgirl defense held the Cru from scoring on the final shot to force overtime.
 
Kiser hit a 3-pointer to open overtime and would score seven of the nine Cowgirl points to get the 88-85 win over Mary Hardin-Baylor and clinch the ASC regular season title.
 
HSU shot 53 percent in the game to 43 percent from UMHB. The two teams were deadlocked in rebounding with 40 boards each.
 
Kiser led with 36 points for the Cowgirls. Parmer scored 14 and Samantha Tatum had 13 points, while Kynnan Shields scored 10 points for HSU.
 
The Cowgirls win the ASC regular season title with a record of 22-3 and 14-2 in conference and will host the ASC Championship Tournament beginning next Friday with game times to be determined. The Cowgirls are set to play the winner of ETBU and McMurry on Friday at the Mabee Athletic Complex.
 
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