SAN ANTONIO, Texas – After 17 lead changes and nine ties the Pirates narrowly fell to Division II Southern Arkansas on Sunday afternoon 73-71.

Southern Arkansas took control of the game early, but Southwestern refused to be intimidated and quickly posted a six point lead in response after Annie Bourne's jumper seven minutes in.

The lead remained intact until SAU turned the tide from the free throw line, making five of six. Trailing by two the Pirates made the most of their final possession as Lashelle Williams nailed a three with 17 seconds left to send SU into the break up one, 38-37.

Valerie Logan opened the second frame with a three to push Southwestern's lead back to four, but SU then hit a scoring drought that lasted four minutes and allowed Southern Arkansas within one.

Another four minute of tough offensive luck halfway through the second half gave SAU the chance to pull ahead and they did just that to post their largest lead of the game, 65-57, with 6:33 to go.

The Pirates pulled within one on Chelsea Leeder's three with two minutes to play and Logan added another on the next possession to give the lead back to the Pirates 71-69 with 1:37 remaining. That was the last basket Southwestern would make, however, as they struggled to put the ball in the hoop and stop Southern Arkansas from doing the same, arriving at the 73-71 final.

Southwestern shot 37.5% from the floor and 34.5% from three point range and was led by Bourne's 26 points on 10-14 shooting, 2-3 from three point range. Coupled with her 10 boards, Bourne led all players in points and rebounds while Leeder added in 19 points. Southern Arkansas' Chanel Miller led with 20 points.

The loss drops SU to 2-4 on the year. They return to action on Wednesday, December 4^th as they open SCAC conference action against rival Trinity in San Antonio at 8 p.m.