GEORGETOWN, Texas -Southwestern's suffocating defense held Trinity to below 30% from the field and three point range as they moved into a two-way tie with Colorado College for the top spot in the West with a 74-61 win.

After a sloppy start by both teams that saw six combined turnovers in the first two minutes Southwestern used a relentless press and scored at will in transition to take an eight point lead, 23-15 halfway through the first frame.

SU executed the run-and-gun style more effectively throughout the half and took a 19 point lead into the break, 47-28. Chelsea Leeder (pictured) was on fire in the first half, scoring 17 points while Anna Fareed added in an impressive 13. Trinity was held to under 30% from the field and just 1-10 from three point range.

As the second half got underway the Pirates didn't let up at all, pushing their lead to 23, 51-28, by holding the Tigers scoreless through the first four minutes.

The Pirates were never threatened as the second half continued, keeping Trinity at least 15 points away with a tremendous defensive effort to seal the win, 74-61.

Southwestern dominated every category, going +7 in rebounding, -5 in turnovers, shooting 39.7% from the field and 27.3% from three point range while holding the Tigers to 29.1% from the floor and 22.7% from long range.

Leeder led all scorers with 19 points while Fareed ended with 18. Jordan Owens added in 14 and was a monster on the boards with 16 rebounds. Annie Bourne added in a double-double in the win with 10 points and 10 rebounds. Lauren Splawn led for the Tigers with 13 points.

The win improves the Pirates to 10-11 on the year and 7-5 in the SCAC to move into a tie with Colorado College for the top spot in the West. Trinity drops into third place with an 8-13 overall record and 6-6 conference record. Southwestern remains at home this coming weekend for a pair of big games, hosting Colorado College on Friday night and Hendrix on Saturday.