BELTON, Texas – University of Mary Hardin-Baylor women's basketball team used a team effort to edge Southwestern Assemblies of God University 70-66 Thursday evening in Belton. The win improved the Cru to 4-4 on the season while the Lions fell to 6-6.
 
UMHB jumped to an early lead, shooting 41.2 percent and using a 6-0 run to gain an eight point lead on the Lions halfway through the first quarter. SAGU responded, tying the game 19-19 early in the second quarter. Both teams exchanged leads for the duration of the half with the Cru edging the Lions 36-35 at the half. SAGU opened the third quarter strong, using a 5-1 run to grab a three point lead and maintaining advantage until Kourtney Bevers hit two free throws to put the Cru up by one. UMHB trailed only once more in the contest, using a 7-2 run late in the final quarter to pull away from the Lions and seal the 70-66 victory.
 
Jonelle Smith led the Cru with 14 points while Bevers added 12 and Kendra Wynn had 10. Bevers lead the Cru with four assists and added seven rebounds along with Tori Tucker and Mackenzie Coffey. Defensively, Wynn and Tucker reach recorded three steals as UMHB forced the Lions into 22 turnovers. UMHB shot 37.7 percent in the contest, 36.4 percent from beyond the arc and 76.9 percent from the free throw line.
 
Taylor Hill led Southwestern Assemblies of God with 20 points, followed by Bethany Krock with 17. Hill also brought down a team-high six rebounds as UMHB outrebounded the Lions 43-38 in the contest. SAGU shot 38.1 percent in the contest, hitting 47.4 percent from beyond the arc and 69.2 percent from the line.
 
UMHB returns to action Tuesday, December 29^th in a 6 p.m. game against Our Lady of the Lake at the Mayborn Campus Center in Belton. The Cru will then travel to Louisiana College on Saturday, January 2^nd in a 1 p.m. game against the Wildcats.