SANTA CRUZ, Calif. – Hardin-Simmons' Cowgirl basketball's
Jacqueline Berry poured in 35 points and came up with nine steals as Hardin-Simmons opened the season with a 67-65 victory over George Fox on Saturday at West Field House.
Berry added nine rebounds and went 15-for-23 from the free-throw line, helping the Cowgirls erase a four-point deficit entering the fourth quarter and outscore the Bruins 14-8 in the final period.
The game featured 12 lead changes and nine ties before Hardin-Simmons made the key plays late. Berry gave the Cowgirls a 66-65 lead on a jumper with 1:37 remaining, then added a free throw with 14 seconds left to provide the final margin. She also recorded a steal with 1:25 left during a crucial defensive stretch.
Hardin-Simmons (1-0) trailed 38-34 at halftime and fell behind by as many as eight points in the third quarter before mounting a rally. The Cowgirls tied the contest at 57-57 early in the fourth quarter and continued to battle through a tense final six minutes.
Angie Sacco provided a spark off the bench with eight points and five rebounds, while
Destiny Jamison scored seven points and collected four steals.
MaeSyn Gay added seven points, six rebounds and two steals, and
Nilaya Gordon chipped in five points and five rebounds.
The Cowgirls forced 20 George Fox turnovers and finished with 16 steals in the season-opening win.
George Fox was led by Addison Dippel with 15 points and Hanne Hopkins with 12 points and seven rebounds.
Hardin-Simmons returns to action Sunday at 3 p.m. against Claremont-Mudd-Scripps (CMS).
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