The Cowboys led 47-38 with 8:32 remaining in the game, before Mary Hardin-Baylor went on a 14-0 run over the next 5:15 to make it 52-47 at the 3:17 mark. The Cowboys cut it to one, but the Crusaders made the plays down the stretch.
James Peters led the Cowboys with 14 points and Zach Pickelman and Calvin Nite added 12 and 10 points each. Brandon Gatlin led the Crusaders with 17 points and five assists. Corey Epps added 10.
The Cowboys fell to 18-7 overall and 16-6 in league play. Mary Hardin-Baylor improved to 17-8 overall and 15-7 in conference play. HSU will be the two seed from the West Division in the ASC Tournament and will play Ozarks on Friday at 8 p.m.