GEORGETOWN, Texas –Southwestern scored 53 second half points en route to a 92-82 win over Texas Lutheran University on Saturday night.
Big Pirate plays littered the first half for Southwestern as they built up a nine point lead, 39-30, through shear will. SU held TLU to without a three the entire half and shot 48.4% from the floor to take a three point lead into halftime, 39-36.
Leeder led the charge with 10 points while Audrey Garcia was all over the glass, pulling down four boards in 10 minutes.
The Pirates controlled both ends of the floor in the first five minutes of the second half as they watched their lead grow to 13, 55-42, with a true team effort.
Every time the Bulldogs inched closer, Southwestern had the answer in the form of a big perimeter shot. As the clock ticked under the ten minute mark, SU turned up the heat defensively and put the pressure on the Bulldogs. TLU didn't crumble under the pressure, but the Pirates did force crucial turnovers that led to easy baskets.
Cara Sheffer's three put the Pirates back up by 11 after TLU had snuck closer and Southwestern held off the Bulldogs' attack in the final two minutes to seal the win 92-82.
Southwestern shot 56.4% from the floor and 38% from three point range and was led by Owens' 28 points. Leeder added in 20 and Audrey Garcia 12. TLU had five players in double figures, led by Savannah Hight's 19 points.
Leeder also had three blocks on the night and Valerie Logan did a great job at the point position, as always, with seven assists.
The Pirates improve to 5-9 on the year and 1-2 in the SCAC while Texas Lutheran falls to 6-8 overall and 1-2 in conference action. Southwestern remains at home and in conference play, facing Austin College on Friday night at 8 p.m.