MARSHALL, Texas – Hardin-Simmons' women's basketball team dropped its American Southwest Conference opener to East Texas Baptist, 73-66, on Thursday night at Ornelas Gym.
Both teams struggled offensively in the first quarter with ETBU leading 16-9 after the first 10 minutes. The Cowgirls shot 12 percent in the opening frame with two made field goals. HSU used an 18-point second quarter to cut the deficit to 28-27 in favor of the Tigers at the break.
Freshman
Jacqueline Berry scored 13 points in the third quarter to help the Cowgirls keep pace with ETBU leading 48-46 after the third. The Tigers used a Madison Hurta three-pointer with 4:11 left to go up 64-52. HSU was able to close the gap to five points on two occasions, but ETBU held on down the stretch.
Hardin-Simmons shot 32 percent from the field and 18 percent from behind the arc. East Texas Baptist shot 42 percent from the field in the contest. The Cowgirls forced 23 Tiger turnovers with only 17 of their own.
Payton Hicks led ETBU with 22 points and chipped in four rebounds. Jayla Hall added 17 points for the Tigers.
Berry led the Cowgirls with 22 points and 11 rebounds for her fourth double-double this year.
Aiken Semones and
MaeSyn Gay both scored 12 points for HSU.
The Cowgirls are now 14-2 overall and 0-1 in ASC play. ETBU improved to 14-3 on the year and 1-0 in league action. HSU will close out the opening weekend of conference play at LeTourneau on Saturday at 1 p.m.
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