Written by Kensley Walters, UMHB Sports Information Intern 

BELTON, Texas - The University of Mary Hardin-Baylor's women's basketball team defeated Concordia University Texas 84-68 Saturday afternoon in Belton. The Cru improved to 16-1 overall and 9-0 in American Southwest Conference action while the Tornados fell to 3-13 on the season and 2-7 in ASC play.

Jaycie Brisco opened the game with a huge three-pointer after a Lauren Baker steal. Alexis Carmosino followed with back-to-back baskets to extend the lead to six. The Tornados brought the game within one point, but Lauren Baker added a layup at the 3:02 mark to expand the gap. Concordia knotted-it up18-18 at the 0:46 mark before Josie Bruder added three more points for UMHB on the next possession. The Tornados hit a fastbreak-jumper at the buzzer to end the first quarter up 22-21.  

UMHB and the Tornados fought for the lead in the second quarter with seven lead changes in the first five minutes. UMHB held a short lead of 30-28 at the 4:33 mark before the Tornados' Jordan Bravo hit a three-pointer to go ahead by one. Ashley Faux sunk a jumper at the 2:42 mark to spark an 11-point run. Ella Hartman made a quick 3-pointer with one minute left before Jaycie Brisco and Jayden Widener solidified the first-half lead with four points for the 41-31 lead.

The Tornados started second-half play with a layup before UMHB brought their lead to 12 with scores from Bruder and Carmosino. The Cru extended their lead to 17 at the 5:04 mark after going on a 9-1 run. The Tornados fought back in the final half of the quarter with a 12-2 run to close the third down 59-52.

UMHB opened the fourth quarter with an 11-2 run to put them back up by 16. Jayden Widener added a steal and jumper to give the Cru their biggest lead of 18 at the 5:04 mark. The contest continued basket-for-basket, but UMHB held the high ground, taking the victory 84-68.

Carmosino led the Cru with 18 points while Bruder added 15 and Katelen Brooks tacked on 12. UMHB totaled 30 team rebounds with four players recording five each. The Cru also had a strong defense with 25 steals on the day, led by Ashley Faux with six.

UMHB returns to action Thursday, January 25th in a 5:30 p.m. contest against East Texas Baptist University in Marshall.