BELTON, Texas – The University of Mary Hardin-Baylor women's basketball team could not overcome an early first-half deficit and fell to Concordia Texas 79-74 Tuesday evening in Belton. The Tornados improved to 8-6 on the season and 5-3 in American Southwest Conference action while the Lady Cru fell to 2-11 overall and 1-7 in conference play.

The Tornados jumped to an early 9-0 lead over the Cru in the first half. UMHB fought to within two points, but the Tornados used a 6-0 run late in the half to extend their lead, going into halftime with a 34-27 score. UMHB again fought back to within one point, but could not find enough offense to reach or lead the Tornados.

Taylor Tucker led UMHB with 20 points and 10 rebounds. Jovana Miles also brought down 10 boards while Kourtney Bevers put up 13 points for the Cru. UMHB shot 44 percent from outside the arc and 69 percent from the free throw line. UMHB out-rebounded the Tornados 46-36 and recorded 12 steals in the match.

Madi Hess led the Tornados with 17 points while Voneshia Williams added ten. Paige Parrish led the Tornados with eight rebounds with Williams adding five. The Tornados shot 48 percent for the game and 50 percent from beyond the arc. Concordia Texas forced 34 turnovers and recorded six blocked shots.

UMHB will return to host Hardin-Simmons in a 1 p.m. matchup Saturday at the Mayborn Campus Center.