BELTON, Texas – The University of Mary Hardin-Baylor women's basketball team earned a convincing win over University of the Ozarks Monday evening in Belton, beating the Eagles 65-45. The win improved the Cru to 7-8 on the season and evened them at 3-3 in American Southwest Conference action. Ozarks fell to 5-7 on the year and 1-6 in league play.
 
UMHB trailed early but held the Eagles scoreless through six minutes of the first quarter to grab a 14-11 advantage. The Cru maintained advantage, leading by as many as 11 points in the first half to secure a 28-21 halftime score and outscored the Eagles 18-13 in the third quarter, leading by as many as 19 points. Ozarks was unable to catch up as the Cru maintained a double-digit lead through the final 10 minutes of play to secure the 20-point win.
 
Jonelle Smith led the Cru with 16 points followed by Tori Tucker with 11. Bridjai Chaney and Destini Oakmon each added 10 while Chaney recorded a double-double with a team-high 13 rebounds. Oakmon led the Cru with four assists while Chaney and Tucker each had a team-high two blocks. UMHB out-rebounded the Eagles 59-46, forcing 19 turnovers and taking six steals.  

Ashley Hipps led Ozarks with 19 points followed by Bryanna Moltz with 10. The Eagles shot 23.2 percent in the contest, 12.5 percent from beyond the arc and 71.4 percent from the free-throw line. UMHB totaled 31.9 percent in the contest, 23.1 percent from the three-point line and 65 percent in free throws.
 
The UMHB women continue play on Thursday, January 21^st in a 5:30 p.m. match against Howard Payne University at the Mayborn Campus Center in Belton. UMHB will play one more home game on Saturday, January 23^rd against Sul Ross State University at 1 p.m. before an ASC road series next weekend in Abilene.