BIRMINGHAM, Alabama – The University of Mary Hardin-Baylor women's basketball team used a balanced scoring attack and hot shooting in the middle two quarters to build a lead and the Cru held on for a 77-71 victory over Birmingham Southern Saturday afternoon in Alabama. UMHB is now 1-0 to start the season. The Panthers are 0-1 to start the year.
 
The Cru opened up an 11-point advantage on Ashley Caldwell's jumper with 50 seconds left to play, but the Panthers chipped away. UMHB could only added four free throws down the stretch while BSC hit two lay-ups, two free throws and a three-pointer to pull to within five points in the final seconds. The Cru would hold off the rally to get the victory. Neither team led by more than three points through the opening period and the Cru and Panthers were tied at 23 after the first ten minutes. The second quarter was the same story as UMHB took a 42-40 lead into the halftime break. The Cru finally created some separation in the third period, building a 62-55 lead going into the final stanza.
 
Alicia Blackwell led UMHB with 17 points and she added six rebounds, four assists and two steals. Hannah Holt scored 16 points and grabbed five boards and Madison McCoy also reached double figures with 10 points. Nine different players scored for the Cru and UMHB shot 43 percent from the field as a team.
 
Emilee Olson topped the Panthers with 21 points. Aisya Davis and Musi Fujii scored 13 points apiece. The Panthers shot 42 percent from the field and hit seven three-pointers in the game.
 
UMHB will return to action with a 2 pm start against Oglethorpe to close out the tournament on Sunday. The Cru women will play their home opener against Texas Wesleyan on Tuesday at 6 pm.