ABILENE, Texas – Hardin-Simmons' Cowgirl basketball team won 56-35 against the Whitman College Blues in the NCAA tournament to advance to the NCAA Sweet 16 round next weekend at New York University.
 
The Cowgirls won the first two rounds of the NCAA tournament hosted at Hardin-Simmons, and more information will be made available for the Cowgirl trip to NYU next weekend.
 
Hardin-Simmons locked down the Whitman offense in the first half, giving up just nine points in 20 minutes. The Cowgirls finished the game holding their opponent to 15-of-57 shooting, at 26 percent for the game. HSU had eight steals and forced 22 Whitman turnovers in the win.
 
After leading 28-9 at halftime, the Cowgirls finished the game leading the whole way 56-35 in the win.
 
Whitman cut the lead to as few as 11 points before HSU rattled off nine-straight points to end the third quarter with a lead of 44-23. The Cowgirls led by as many as 28 points in the fourth quarter.
 
Jacqueline Berry led the way for Hardin-Simmons on offense against the Blues. The ASC MVP scored 19 points on 8-of-13 shooting from the floor and added six rebounds, three assists, two steals, and a blocked shot.  
 
Dylan Koele hit some big shots for the Cowgirls, including three 3-pointers, to finish the game with 11 points.
 
Hardin-Simmons moved to 24-5 and on the season and will travel to play at New York University next weekend, with game times being announced later in the week. Be sure to stay up to date on hsuathletics.com for all your Cowgirl basketball news.
 
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