Marshall, Texas – The University of Mary Hardin-Baylor women's basketball team used another fourth quarter rally to have a chance to win in the final seconds, but the Cru could not climb all the way back in a 58-56 loss to Wiley College Thursday night in Marshall. UMHB falls to 0-3 on the season with the loss. The Wildcats improve to 6-0 on the year with the victory.

Wiley scored seven of the game's first nine points and led 16-6 at the end of the first quarter. The lead would grow to as many as 14 in the second quarter before UMHB cut it to a 33-23 Wildcat lead at halftime. The Cru opened the second half with an 11-4 run to close to within three points at 37-34, but the Wildcats answered with an 8-0 run to close the third period. Wiley held a 58-51 advantage with 1:17 remaining in the game, but Jonelle Smith hit two free-throws and Kourtney Bevers had a three-point play to pull UMHB to within 58-56 with seven seconds left. The Cru forced a turnover on Wiley's final possession, but Kendra Wynn's potential game-tying shot was blocked at the buzzer as the Wildcats held on for the victory.

Bevers led the Cru with 15 points off the bench in her first action of the season. Wynn added 13 points and a team-high nine rebounds and Smith chipped in 12 points. UMHB shot 31 percent from the field and 27 percent from three-point range. The Cru was also out rebounded 50-41 in the contest.

Anika Nottingham led all scorers with 17 points for the Wildcats and Alexis Bernstine added 16 points and a game-high 14 rebounds. Wiley shot 34 percent from the field as a team and hit just 1-8 from the three-point line. The Wildcats were 17-22 from the free-throw line while UMHB was 6-9 from the stripe in the loss.

The Cru will now return home to return to action. UMHB will host Southwestern University for a 5:30 PM tip off at the Mayborn Campus Center Tuesday night.