AUSTIN — The third meeting this season between the Southwestern and Concordia women's basketball teams proved to be the charm for the Pirates, who defeated the Tornados 67-58 for their first winning streak of the season.
Southwestern fell short in its previous two meetings with Concordia but was able to pull away with a stifling defensive effort in the fourth quarter, going on a 13-6 run over the final 10 minutes.
Jada Hollie led Southwestern with 21 points and 10 rebounds for the first double-double of her collegiate career. The freshman forward did most of her work inside, hitting four of her seven made field goals in the paint, and got to the free-throw line 10 times, where she connected on seven.
Lauren Fulenwider balanced Hollie's interior drives with long-distance shooting, connecting on 5-for-8 from deep with a pair of free throws to score 17 points, reaching double figures for the first time in three games against Concordia.
Fulenwider and reserve guard Mia Paz set the tone for the Pirates in the first quarter, with each hitting 2-for-3 from behind the 3-point line to push Southwestern out to a 20-15 lead. However, Concordia bounced back with a 19-15 second quarter, getting a combined nine points on 4-for-4 shooting from guard Natalie Velardez and Erin Toro to pull within one at 35-34 at halftime.
In the third quarter, Concordia reserve guard Kennedy Donovan got loose for eight points on 3-for-4 shooting, but the Pirates responded by getting to the free-throw line 10 times and hitting eight to outscore the Tornados 19-18 heading into the final 10 minutes.
Southwestern's defense ramped up in the fourth quarter, limiting Concordia to just 3-for-22 shooting (13.6 percent) and just a pair of free-throw attempts, which Concordia missed.
The Pirates got seven points each from Princess Roberts and Reece Sandercock, who grabbed 14 and 11 rebounds to help Southwestern outrebound Concordia 61-49.
With the win, Southwestern improves to .500 at 4-4, dropping Concordia to 2-3. Southwestern will play an exhibition game against St. Edward's on Saturday, Dec. 4, at 1:00 p.m.
