ABILENE, Texas – Hot three-point shooting by #19 Hardin-Simmons University became the difference on the road for East Texas Baptist University in an 80-59 loss to the Cowgirls in American Southwest Conference play. ETBU is now 6-11 and 3-6 in the ASC.
 
Payton Hicks led the way with 19 points adding five assists. Hannah Matthews collected 10 points as Kadia Ward led the team with eight rebounds. Both Matthews and Hannah Ayala had three blocks. HSU's Paris Kiser led all scorers with 21 points.
 
HSU made 15 three-pointers (44 percent) to ETBU's two (20 percent). ETBU did shoot 40 percent from the floor but only made 54 percent of their free throws (17-of-31). HSU made 38 percent of their shots and went 19-of-22 (86 percent) from the line. HSU also won the rebound battle, 42-36.
 
ETBU had a strong first quarter with a 10-9 lead. They held HSU to just 17 percent shooting and one three-pointer made. HSU started off with a 5-0 lead in the first minute and half and were then held to just five points in the next eight minutes. HSU went up, 7-2, at 6:52 but two and half minutes later Hicks had a layup on a fast break for the 8-7 lead. ETBU went on an 8-2 run in the final six and half minutes for the lead. After ETBU took the lead at 5:19, it was over four minutes later that the Tigers scored on a Ayala jumper for a 10-7 lead. HSU hit two free throws with 53 seconds left to bring ETBU's lead to one, 10-9. HSU adjusted their offense in the second quarter hitting five three-pointers and shot 53 percent from the floor as they took a 36-26 lead at the half.
 
HSU then hit nine three pointers in the second half with six in the fourth quarter scoring 44 points. They out scored ETBU 44-33 in the second half for the win, 80-59.
 
ETBU will head across Abilene on Saturday to face McMurry University at 1:00 p.m.