ABILENE, Texas – Hardin-Simmons' women's basketball team fell to East Texas Baptist, 82-79, on Saturday afternoon in American Southwest Conference action at the Mabee Complex.
The Cowgirls came out hot and opened up a 24-12 lead on a
Madison Williams 3-pointer with 1:31 to play in the first quarter.
ETBU responded with a 10-0 run to cut the Cowgirl lead to 24-22 with 7:31 to play in the first half. The teams went back and forth for the rest of the half and ETBU led 36-35 at halftime.
The Tigers opened up a 54-45 lead midway through the third quarter and led 64-57 after three quarters.
HSU chipped away at the deficit and Williams' sixth 3-pointer of the game gave the Cowgirls a 74-73 lead with 2:57 to play. ETBU regained the lead and
Jacqueline Berry cut the deficit to 80-79 with an offensive rebound and put back with :14 to play. Payton Hicks hit a pair of free throws and HSU's last-second shot to tie the game was off the mark.
ETBU shot 51.8 percent from the field and the Cowgirls were 29-of-71 for 40.8 percent. HSU had a big advantage on the boards 43-33 and had a 24-4 advantage in second-chance points, to offset some of the hot Tiger shooting.
Williams led four in double figures with 24 points for the Cowgirls.
Jacqueline Berry had 16 points,
Caroline Croft scored 14 and
MaeSyn Gay added 11 for HSU.
Payton Hicks led the Tigers with 24 points, six rebounds, and six assists. Tiffany Bickford had a double-double with 16 points and 11 rebounds.
The Cowgirls are now 17-5 on the year and 3-3 in ASC play. ETBU improved to 19-4 overall and 6-0 in league play. HSU will host Howard Payne on Thursday at 5:30 p.m.
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