GEORGETOWN, Texas – Southwestern rallied from a seven points down early in the third quarter to lead by the end of the frame but was unable to sustain the run, falling to McMurry University 65-54 Saturday afternoon.
After a tight first quarter McMurry used a late run in the second quarter to go into halftime with a five point lead, 24-19.
With tough defense and an offensive spark in the third the Pirates went up by two, 40-38, heading into the fourth quarter.
MCM scored off turnovers and offensive rebounds to take an 11 point lead with 5:20 to go. Southwestern battled back and pulled within six, 54-48, with 2:21 remaining., but weren't able to close the gap any further as McMurry closed out the game from the free throw line.
Southwestern shot 28% from the floor and 25% from three point range and was led by Tori Carraway with 15 points. Madison Edwards posted her second consecutive double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds.
McMurry shot 37% from the floor and 27% from three point range but got 19 points from the free throw line.
The Pirates (3-8) open Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference play to start the new year, facing the University of Dallas (7-3) in Irving at 5:30 pm on Friday, January 6th.