ABILENE, Texas — Hardin-Simmons' women's basketball team lost to Mary Hardin-Baylor 69-63 on Thursday night in American southwest Conference action at the Mabee Complex in Abilene.

HSU started off hot with a 15-4 run to open the game. Coco Cartwright had eight points in the run. However, UMHB chipped away at the deficit and used an 11-0 run from the 11:10 mark to the 7:01 mark to take a 20-19 lead.

There were two ties and five lead changes in the first half and UMHB led 31-30 at halftime.

In the second half, there were four ties and six lead changes. The game was tied at 49-49 with 7:00 to play and UMHB scored the next four points and never trailed again. HSU cut it to 59-58 with 3:42 to play on an Angela Newcombe layup.

Brittany Zamora gave UMHB a 67-61 lead with :50 to play as she beat the shot clock buzzer with a floater on the baseline.

The Cowgirls shot just 33.8 percent in the game and 29.4 percent in the second half.

Lindsey Newcombe had 23 points and 20 rebounds to pace the Cowgirls. Coco Cartwright had 12 points and Jasmine Lewis added 11 for HSU.

Lindsay Eaton paced four UMHB players in double figures with 18 points. Brittany Zamora added 15, Caitlin Barganier had 13 and Landie Thompson had 11.

The Cowgirls are now 16-5 overall and 13-5 in ASC West action. HSU holds a one-game lead over McMurry and Howard Payne and a two-game lead over Mary Hardin-Baylor and Concordia. UMHB fell to 14-8 overall and 11-7 in league play.

HSU will close its home regular season on Saturday against Concordia at 1 p.m.

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