TULSA, Okla. – Southwestern women's basketball handled adversity with grace but fell 70-63 to Westminster College in a neutral-site contest.
The Pirates arrived an hour behind schedule after a malfunction to their charter bus, forcing SU into a situation they had yet to face. An upper-classmen laced group took it all in stride and quickly took control of the game, opening on a 10-0 run and lead by nine 29-38 at halftime. Southwestern shot 50% from the floor and 30% from three point range while outrebounding Westminster 21-14.
Southwestern's offense went cold in the second half as Westminster revved up. The Pirates retained their lead most of the second half, even pushing it to 10 points, 52-42, with 10:25 to play. At that point the roles reversed as Westminster put together a 20-2 run over the next seven and a half minutes to take the lead 62-54 with three minutes remaining.
SU never led again and only got as close as four points, 65-61 with one minute to play, but Westminster closed out the game from the free throw line, making 8-11 in the final two minutes to seal the win.
Southwestern shot 33.3% from the field and 14.3% from three point range in the second half to end the game at 42.2% from the floor and 23.5% from behind the arc. McKamie Place and Jordan Owens led the Pirates with 12 points off the bench while Annie Bourne pulled down a game-high 12 rebounds. Westminster was led by Kasey Gatson and Mackenzie Haddox who posted 18 points each.
Southwestern falls to 1-3 on the year after the loss. They return to action after Thanksgiving to face Mary Hardin-Baylor on Saturday at 2 p.m. in San Antonio.