Dec. 4, 2006

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ABILENE, Texas - The play may have not been at postseason level for either team, but the intensity level was at a premium as Hardin-Simmons dropped a 61-56 American Southwest Conference women's basketball game to crosstown rival McMurry.

McMurry jumped out to an early 16-6 lead, before Hardin-Simmons responded with a rally of its own 20-1 lead to take a 26-17 lead with 2:51 to play in the half. McMurry came back with the next punch and outscored the Cowgirls 10-2 the rest of the half and HSU led 29-27 at the break.

The second half was a back and forth affair that saw 19 ties or lead changes. HSU's biggest lead came at the 9:31 mark when it led 46-42 with 9:51 to play. McMurry then went on a 9-3 run to take a 51-49 lead with 7:08 to play. Former Cowgirl Maigen Sawyer had two 3-pointers in the run and McMurry never trailed again.

Allison Nelson hit a 3-pointer and a jumper and Amber Horton had a jumper down the stretch.

HSU was led by Lyssa Dennard's 19 points and Shelby Hodges added 18. Nelson and Tarra Richardson each had 18 points for McMurry.

McMurry improved to 6-0 overall and 4-0 in the league. HSU fell to 5-2 on the year and 4-1 in league action. HSU plays at Ozarks on Thursday evening.