Nov. 26, 2005

Final Stats

TYLER, Texas - In a match-up of the two teams picked to win the division titles in the American Southwest Conference, Hardin-Simmons beat UT-Tyler, 59-54, Saturday afternoon at the Patriot Center in Tyler.

The game was not pretty from the outset as the teams combined for 47 turnovers and 40 fouls, but the Cowgirls found a way to overcome a 41-33 deficit at the 8:22 mark. The comeback was sparked by sophomore Jamie Jones, who came off the bench for seven points down the stretch.

She converted a 3-point play at the 8:21 mark and then hit a pair of free throws to make it 43-40 at the 6:54 mark. Sonya West tied the game at 63 for the Cowgirls on the next possession with a 3-pointer at the 6:20 mark.

UT-Tyler responded with back-to-back buckets to make it 47-43 at the 5:33 mark, but the Cowgirls once again responded. Shelby Hodges hit a free throw and then Lyssa Dennard hit a driving lay-up to cut the deficit to one. Jones then corralled a rebound on one end and then hit a turnaround jumper to give the Cowgirls the lead at 48-47 with 4:12 to play.

The teams traded baskets and a lay-up by UTT's Katelynn Denney cut the Cowgirl lead to 51-50 with 1:26 to play. Melissa Henley then came in off the bench and hit a short turnaround at the 1:09 mark. The Cowgirls hit six straight free throws in the final minute to seal the win.

West led a balanced Cowgirl attack with 12 points and 11 rebounds. Hauk and Dennard each had nine points and Hodges added eight. Sarah Stanley led the Patriots with 22 points.

HSU (2-0, 1-0) returns to action Monday evening at UT-Dallas.