NEW LONDON, Conn. – The University of Mary Hardin-Baylor women's basketball team earned a hard-fought 64-58 road win Saturday at United States Coast Guard Academy.
 
UMHB took a quick 5-0 lead in the first quarter and extended the lead to six before the Bears mounted a comeback, taking a 9-8 lead with 3:44 left in the frame. UMHB finally answered at 2:03 off a layup from Rachel Okoye but USCGA tied the contest again at 10. Natalia Galvan responded with a three-pointer to give UMHB a 13-10 lead after the first frame. UMHB extended the lead to six points but the Bears fought back, taking a one-point lead at 5:46. Kayla Johns-McGarity answered with a layup for the Cru and UMHB remained on top, taking a 55-29 lead into halftime.
 
Josie Bruder led the Cru with 15 first-half points, followed by Galvan with six. UMHB also forced 11 turnovers in the first half, recording seven steals.
 
USCGA fought back in the third quarter, outscoring the Cru 23-16 to tie the contest at 45. UMHB went ahead by five at the 7:04 mark but the Bears answered with back-to-back baskets from Olivia Wright to tie the game at 52. Johns-McGarity answered with a layup, followed by a three-pointer from Danae Gonzalez for a 57-52 lead. Rachel Okoye added a jumper at 3:14 to give the Cru a seven-point lead. The Bears fought back, pulling within one off a three-pointer at 1:03. Natalia Galvan made a foul shot at 0:20, followed by a pair of free throws from Josie Bruder at 0:16 for a 62-58 UMHB advantage. Galvan added two more free throws to seal the 64-58 win.
 
Bruder led the Cru with 21 points while Kayla Johns-McGarity added 10. Natalia Galvan was the Cru's leading rebounder, totaling nine in the contest while Rachel Okoye added four steals.
 
UMHB returns to action on Monday, January 12^th in a 3 p.m. contest against University of Saint Joseph (CT) in West Hartford, Conn.