Abilene, Texas – The University of Mary Hardin-Baylor women's basketball team erased another double-digit, second half deficit and then held on in the final seconds as the Cru posted a 71-69 victory over Hardin-Simmons University Saturday in Abilene. The UMHB women have now won seven straight games to improve to 9-6 overall and 9-3 in American Southwest Conference play. The loss drops the Cowgirls to 5-9 overall and 5-6 in the ASC on the year.
UMHB held several four-point leads in the early going of the first half, but Hardin-Simmons battled back to grab a 39-34 halftime lead. The Cowgirls also controlled the first nine minutes of the second half in building a 14-point lead at 61-47 with 11:21 left to play. The Cru defense stiffened from there, allowing the Cowgirls just one field goal in the final eleven minutes. UMHB used a 20-4 run to take a 67-65 lead on Jonelle Smith's jumper with 2:37 remaining. Two Taylor Tucker free throws made it a 69-65 Cru lead, but Shelby Hanna's lay-up and two free throws from Kourtney Holyfield tied the game with 37 seconds to play. Macy Moore would hit what proved to be the game-winner on a lay-in with 16 seconds to go and Holyfield missed a potential game-tying jumper at the buzzer.
Three players posted double-doubles to lead the Cru. Tucker tied the UMHB career record for double-doubles by pouring in 21 points and grabbing 11 rebounds. Jovana Miles had 11 points and 10 rebounds and Moore finished with 13 points and 11 boards. Kourtney Bevers chipped in 11 points and a team-high five assists. The Cru shot 40 percent from the floor as a team, out rebounded HSU 49-40 and committed just 10 turnovers in the victory.
Hanna led the Cowgirls with 16 points and Taylor Klement added 15 points and 14 rebounds. Holyfield also scored 15 points and Joanna Daniel added 12 for HSU. The Cowgirls shot 35 percent from the field overall, but hit just 29 percent in the second half.
The Cru women will play road games at Howard Payne University and Sul Ross State University next weekend. UMHB will then return home to play six of its final eight regular season games at home at the Mayborn Campus Center.