GEORGETOWN, Texas — Lauren Fulenwider led three Southwestern Pirates in double figures and hit a big 3-pointer late in the fourth quarter to hold Howard Payne at bay in the Pirates' 64-54 victory. 

In Southwestern's first home game, Pirates fans caught a glimpse of what the offense looks like when everything is humming according to plan. Southwestern moved bodies and ball in harmony, finding shooters running through off-ball screens for wide open looks while freshman Jada Hollie fueled the drive-and-kick game. 

Southwestern lived up to Grothe calling this the best-shooting team she's had in her tenure. Ellie Ward, Lauren Fulenwider, Taylor Carney, and Kaitlyn Atkinson each hit a 3-pointer in the first quarter to push Southwestern out to a 13-9 lead. 

The 3-point barrage carried on throughout the first half with all except one made field goal in the first 20 minutes coming from behind the 3-point line to take a 32-21 lead at the break. Southwestern's lone two-point field goal in the first half came from a long-distance shot by Ward with her toe on the line. 

Southwestern's outside shooting in the first half opened driving lanes for Hollie in the third quarter, where she scored nine of her 12 points on 3-for-5 shooting from the field and 3-for-5 from the free-throw line. 

If the first half showed everything the Pirate offense could be, the second showed the work that still needs to be done with 14 second-half turnovers, mostly created by Howard Payne's full-court press. The Pirates committed eight turnovers in a wild fourth quarter and struggled from the field, shooting just 2-for-10. But Southwestern maintained its distance with seven free throws from Ward and a timely stepback 3-pointer from Fulenwider with just under two minutes remaining to push the Pirates' lead back to 10. 

Fulenwider finished with 18 points, hitting 5-for-10 from 3-point range. Ward had 14 points and five rebounds, shooting 9-for-10 from the free-throw line. Hollie filled up the box score for a second game with 12 points, four rebounds, and four assists. All four Hollie assists were for 3-pointers, with three going to Fulendwider. Reece Sandercock had seven points, seven rebounds, and four blocks off the bench. Carney had eight rebounds, three steals, and two blocks. 

Chelsey Harris led Howard Payne with 19 points, nine rebounds, and three assists. Amanda Turpin contributed 13 points. 

Southwestern improves to 1-1 with the win. The Pirates will host Concordia on Tuesday, Nov. 9 at 5:30 p.m.