BELTON, Texas – The University of Mary Hardin Baylor women's basketball team played a hard-fought contest against Hardin Simmons Saturday afternoon in Belton, but could not find enough defense late in the second half to stall the Cowgirls, eventually falling 70-63. With the loss, UMHB falls to 2-12 overall and 1-8 in American Southwest Conference action, while the Cowgirls improve to 7-8 overall and 5-4 in conference play.
 
UMHB jumped to an early 4-0 lead, but the Cowgirls quickly responded with a 9-0 run to get an edge on the Cru. The game continued with offensive spurts from both teams, with a UMHB halftime 30-28 lead. The Cowgirls used a 4-0 run with less than a minute left in the game to secure the win.
 
Taylor Tucker recorded her second double-double of the week, leading UMHB with 15 points and 10 rebounds. Kourtney Bevers put up 10 points for the Cru while Jovana Miles brought down six boards. The Cru out-rebounded the Cowgirls 39-36 and recorded seven blocked shots.
 
Alexis Popelar led the Cowgirls with 21 points while Shaquana Wall scored 11. Popelar also led Hardin-Simmons with six rebounds. The Cowgirls forced 23 turnovers and recorded 11 steals in the game.
 
UMHB will play their next six games on the road, opening with a 5:30 game at Texas Lutheran on Thursday, Jan. 17th. The Cru will return home on Thursday, Feb. 7th with a 5:30 game against Schreiner.