Jan. 10, 2004

Final Stats

CLINTON, Miss. - Hardin-Simmons' women's basketball team improved its winning streak to 11 games and extended its winning streak over American Southwest Conference foes to 35 games with a hard-fought 76-66 win over Mississippi College, Saturday afternoon in Clinton, Miss.

The Cowgirls opened the game with a 9-0 run and an 11-0 run with about two minutes to go sent HSU over the top in a game that was back and forth the entire game.

With the game tied at 61 with 2:39 to go, Diana Martinez hit a jumper to give the Cowgirls the lead. After Magna Green got a rebound Lauren Harris hit a jumper in transition. Veronica Jones then got a lay-up after another Green rebound and Martinez stole the inbounds play and hit a lay-up to give the Cowgirls an 8-0 run and the eight point lead.

The run would continue to an 11-0 run with free throws and the Cowgirls were able to seal the deal with an 8-for-8 performance at the line down the stretch.

Jones led the way with a career-best 20 points. Martinez added 19 points eight boards and seven assists and Lauren Harris added 15. Magna Green had six points, six rebounds and four blocks and played tremendous defense down the stretch.

HSU is now 11-1 on the year and Mississippi College fell to 10-2 in a game that featured the favorites in the ASC East and West. The winner of the East Division will host the American Southwest Conference Tournament at the end of the season.

Lacey Palomarez led the Choctaws with 32 points.

HSU hosts Mary Hardin-Baylor on Thursday night in ASC West action at 5:30.