Women’s Basketball Drops First Conference Game

Women’s Basketball Drops First Conference Game

SAN ANTONIO, Texas - Trinity University's home court advantage was more than the Pirates could overcome as Southwestern lost their first SCAC game on Saturday night.

Trinity shot nearly 50% from the floor while Southwestern shot just 37% from the field including 27.3% in the first half to fall 86-74.

The Tigers got out to a strong start with a 17-4 run to lead by 13 eight minutes into the game. Southwestern finally found their voice as they put together a 14-2 run over the next three minutes to cut TU's lead to one, 19-18. That is as close as the Pirates could pull as Trinity built their lead back to seven, 39-32, heading into halftime.

At the start of the second half SU came out revived and immediately pulled within two, 39-37, with a three by Jordan Owens and a steal and layup from Katelyn Bartell. Trinity was able to respond and watched their lead steadily climb back to double digits. With eight minutes to play the Pirates still found themselves trailing by 10, 67-57, despite much stronger offensive execution.

With another scoring burst, SU had come back in the game and pulled within three, 71-68 with just over five minutes to play, but weren't able to get the defensive stop they needed to close the gap. Trinity went 7-9 from the free throw line down the final two minutes of the game to hand Southwestern their first conference loss.

Owens led the Pirates with 22 points while Audrey Garcia added in 15 and Chelsea Leeder 14. Leeder also led on the boards for the Pirates with nine rebounds. Trinity's Anecia Richardson had game highs in both categories with 24 points and 10 rebounds.

Now 12-5 overall and 6-1 in the SCAC, the Pirates fall into second place in the conference while Trinity (13-4, 7-0) takes sole possession of first place. Southwestern has the rest of the weekend off and return to action in Colorado Springs to face Colorado College on the 25th