BELTON, Texas  – The University of Mary Hardin-Baylor women's basketball team fought hard but dropped a 69-56 decision to Hardin-Simmons University Thursday evening in Belton.
 
The first quarter played back-and-forth with the frame ending in an 18-18 tie. Amillion Fowler opened the second quarter with a three-pointer form Amillion Fowler and held the high ground, extending the lead to six at the 7:56 mark. UMHB went into the media time out with a five-point lead but the Cowgirls fought back, tying the game at 34 with 2:41 to play. UMHB went back up by four with layups from Fowler and Rachel Okoye but the Cowgirls responded, closing the half with a 38-38 tie.
 
Bruder led the Cru with 10 first-half points, followed by Okoye with nine. Kayla Johns-McGarity and Amillion Fowler each added seven points while Johns-McGarity also led the Cru with seven rebounds.
 
HSU pulled away early in the third frame, taking a six-point lead at 8:58. UMHB pulled within three twice but the Cowgirls kept pace, taking a nine-point lead at the end of the quarter. Hardin-Simmons extended the lead to double-digits at the 8:02 mark in the fourth and held that margin, holding the 69-56 win.
 
Fowler led the Cru with 14 points, followed by Bruder and Okoye with 12 each. Johns-McGarity finished with a team-high 11 rebounds while Okoye added four steals.
 
UMHB returns to action on Saturday, January 31^st in a 1 p.m. contest at Howard Payne University in Brownwood.