ABILENE, Texas – Hardin-Simmons' women's basketball team advanced to the American Southwest Conference Championship game with an 83-53 win over East Texas Baptist on Friday afternoon at the Mabee Complex.
 
The Cowgirls opened the game on a 9-2 run with five points by Paris Kiser and four by freshman Savannah Bennett. HSU never trailed in the contest. HSU led 16-12 after the first quarter.
 
HSU opened the game up with 10-of-17 shooting in the second quarter while holding the Tigers to 2-of-12. ETBU was just 5-of-25 from the field in the first half and HSU led 44-21 at halftime.
 
ETBU outscored the Cowgirls 15-13 in the third quarter, but the Cowgirls hit 9-of-12 shots in the fourth quarter including 4-of-5 from 3-point range to close out the win.
 
Senior guard Anna Fanelli had 11 assists in the game and moved to fourth all-time in Division III history, passing former McMurry standout Symbri Tuttle. She now has 751 for her career and 160 for the season. She needs six more to pass Diana Martinez's single-season school record.
 
Payton Hicks led ETBU with 15 points and Michaela James added 10.
 
Kiser led five Cowgirls in double figures with 20 points. Samantha Tatum added 13 points and Parris Parmer, Anna Fanelli and Savannah Bennett all scored 11 points for the Cowgirls.
 
HSU is now 23-3 on the year and ETBU ended its season with a record of 14-12.
 
Hardin-Simmons will play Mary Hardin-Baylor, a 78-49 winner over the University of the Ozarks, on Saturday at 2 pm. For the ASC Championship and automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.
 
The two teams have each won on the other's home floor this season.
 
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