BELTON, Texas — A slow start offensively doomed the Southwestern University Pirates women's basketball team in a 77-69 loss to the No. 25-ranked Mary Hardin-Baylor Crusaders.
The Pirates started the game ice cold, shooting a combined 6-for-28 (21.4 percent) from the field in the first half to trail 41-25 at the break. Southwestern University compounded its problems by committing six turnovers in the first quarter and 17 for the game, giving Mary Hardin-Baylor a 22-10 advantage in points off turnovers.
Tori Carraway continues to work her way back into form following her return from last year's injury, leading the Pirates with 21 points on 7-for-14 shooting to go with seven rebounds off the bench. She managed to get to the free-throw line early, shooting 7-for-10 for the game, and finished strong with a 10-point fourth quarter flurry in which the Pirates scored 26 points.
Cecily Woolfolk joined Carraway as the only other Pirate in double figures, scoring 15 points on 6-for-11 shooting with six rebounds.
Four Crusaders scored in double figures, led by Hannah Holt's 21 points and seven rebounds, getting to the free-throw line repeatedly, where she shot 8-for-12. Guards Kendall Rollins and Alicia Blackwell scored 10 points each with Rollins leading the team with eight rebounds. Aubrie Elliott scored 11 points and grabbed seven rebounds off the bench.
With the loss, the Pirates drop to 1-6 while Mary Hardin-Baylor remains undefeated at 5-0. Southwestern University will travel to Arkansas to compete in the Hendrix Classic from Dec. 30-Dec. 1.