News Release

Abilene, Tx.; — The University of Mary Hardin-Baylor women’s basketball team could not overcome a huge first-half deficit and the Lady Cru fell to Hardin-Simmons University 89-61 Saturday afternoon in Abilene. The UMHB women end the regular season with a 16-9 overall record and a 14-7 mark in American Southwest Conference play. Hardin-Simmons closes out the regular season at 20-4 overall and 18-3 in the ASC.
UMHB shot just 23 per cent in the first half while the Cowgirls were hitting 44 per cent as HSU built a 44-22 lead at the break. Hardin-Simmons would push the lead to as many as 36 in the second half before UMHB managed to close the gap a little with a late run. The Lady Cru shot just 30 per cent from the field and UMHB was out rebounded 52-41 in the game. HSU shot 45 per cent from the field and 50 per cent from three-point range in the victory.
Shannon Barnes led UMHB with a double-double, posting 14 points and 10 rebounds. Kallie White and Christian Tomlinson added 10 points apiece and Tomlinson also blocked five shots. Melissa Contrucci led a balanced Cowgirl offense with 18 points and Lyssa Dennard scored 14. Laci Walker added 13 points and eight boards while Jeni Hobbs and Lindsey Steinberger scored 11 points apiece for HSU.
The UMHB women will now advance to next weekend’s ASC Championship Tournament as the #4 seed from the West Division. The Lady Cru will face East Division #1 seed East Texas Baptist at noon on Friday in Brownwood. The UMHB women are in the ASC Tournament for the second straight year and advanced to the tournament’s championship game last season.