GEORGETOWN, Texas – Early runs at the start of the first and second half boosted the Pirates past Texas Lutheran University 65-60 on Friday afternoon. The win improves Southwestern to 8-1 on the year while TLU falls to 1-7.

Senior Anna Fareed opened the game with a pair of three pointers, giving SU a quick 6-0 lead in the opening minutes. After numerous layups in transition the Pirates mounted a 14 point lead, 22-8, with 11 minutes to play in the half.

Texas Lutheran seemed to come to life after the time out and pulled within five points, 28-23, by forcing Southwestern out of their offensive rhythm and into turnovers. The Bulldogs continued to press and eventually took the lead on a transition basket by Timpson, 29-28, with 15 seconds remaining in the half. Southwestern responded and regained the lead, 30-29, just before the halftime buzzer sounded on a jumper by senior Staley Mullins.

Fareed started the second half just as she did the first, with two threes in the opening four minutes to give Southwestern a nine point lead, 40-31. TLU once again slowly chipped away at the lead, pulling within three points 51-48 forcing an SU timeout to regroup.

Southwestern won the free throw battle, going 14 for 14 in the final five minutes to close out the 65-60 victory.

Fareed led all scorers with 25 points on 7-12 shooting from the field and 5-9 from long range. First year Chelsea Leeder added in 14 and Mullins recorded her first double-double of the season posting 12 points and 12 rebounds in the win. Texas Lutheran's Rebecca Valdez had 23 points to lead the Bulldogs.

The Pirates return from Winter Break to face Worcester State on December 29th at 5:00 pm at home.