Southwestern battled back from a double-digit deficit in the second half but the comeback fell just short as they lost 71-68 to Mary Hardin-Baylor on Monday. 

The Pirates were strong early with three threes and a jumper to lead 11-5 three minutes in. UMHB put together a 12-0 run in the next three minutes to lead 17-11.

SU capped off a run of their own with a dunk form Blake Scott to pull ahead 31-29 with 6:34 remaining in the half, but the Pirates went quiet offensively and went into the break trailing 44-38. 

Kevin Waller's jumper with 10:37 to play in the second half gave the Cru their first double-digit lead, 60-49, and the Pirates began to play catch-up. 

Southwestern got hot from the perimeter again and cut the UMHB lead to four, 70-66 with just under two minutes to play and Blake Scott hit a jumper with 1:14 on the clock to bring SU within two, 70-68. 

The Pirates had good looks at the hoop but weren't able to bury the equalizer as the final buzzer sounded. 

Zach Whitlock led the Pirates with 16 points and eight rebounds while Travis Kurtz added in 15 points and Chirs Molina 11. As a team, Southwestern shot 38.7% from the floor and 42.3% form three point range, but just 50% from the free throw line. 

Russell Green led UMHB with 18 points. 

Southwestern falls to 1-2 on the season after the loss while Mary Hardin-Baylor improves to 2-2 overall. Southwestern has a break from play and returns to the court on December 13th as they take on Hardin-Simmons at 7:30 pm in Abilene.