Nov. 19, 2005

Final Stats

ABILENE, Texas - Hardin-Simmons' women's basketball came out strong in the first half and held off a late rally by Southwestern to win its season opener, 74-69, at the Mabee Complex in Abilene.

The Cowgirls came out and took a 25-5 lead at the 10:50 mark of the first half on a lay-up by Sarah Hauk. HSU scored the first 12 points of the game. The Cowgirls pressure defense forced 17 Pirate turnovers in the first half and Lyssa Dennard had eight steals in the first half.

HSU used its high-low game to perfection in the first half as Melissa Henley and Sonya West combined for 17 points and four assists in the first frame, mostly coming off the high-low. Shelby Hodges had 11 points in the first half for HSU.

Southwestern took better care of the ball in the second half with only three turnovers and cut the Cowgirls' to 68-66 at the 1:08 mark. The Cowgirls converted at the foul line down the stretch to take the victory. HSU hit 6-of-9 free throws down the stretch, including four in a row in the last 15 seconds

West led the Cowgirls with 16 points and 13 rebounds in her first game in a Cowgirl uniform. Henley added 15 points, Hodges chipped in 13 and Dennard had 11. Priyanka Kainthla led the Pirates with 13 points.

The Cowgirls are 1-0 on the year, while Southwestern fell to 0-2. HSU returns to action Nov. 26 when it travels to UT-Tyler for a 1 p.m. game.