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SHERMAN, Texas - Southwestern women's basketball allowed just 18 first half points while scoring 33 in the frame to earn their first SCAC Conference win, 66-54 over Austin College.
It was a slow start to the game as Southwestern didn't score until over five minutes into the contest, but leading scorer Chelsea Leeder started things off and the rest of the team followed. SU's defense also kicked it up a notch and held Austin College to only six points in the final 12 minutes of the half.
Leeder's three, her fifth of the half, with 28 seconds left gave Southwestern a 15 point lead, 33-18, to start the second half.
It was a different start to the second half as SU rattled off 11 points in the first three minutes and Austin College was never able to pull close as the Pirates closed out the win with a comfortable lead the rest of the way.
SU shot 38.6% from the floor and 41.2% from three point range while holding the 'Roos to below 30% in both categories. Leeder led all scorers with 29 points on 10-19 shooting from the floor and 7-14 from long range. The seven three-pointers broke her own school record of six. Jordan Owens chipped in 10 points in the win while Annie Bourne grabbed a team high nine rebounds. Austin College was led by Brooke Melton who posted 18 points in the loss.
The win improves the Pirates to 4-2 on the season and 1-0 in the SCAC while Austin College falls to 3-3 and 0-1. SU returns to action on Saturday night, facing Centenary College at 6 p.m. in Shreveport. La.