BELTON, Texas - A tough first half once again cost the Pirates as Southwestern fell to Mary Hardin-Baylor 73-50 on Tuesday evening. 

From the opening seconds the Cru took the lead and needed just five minutes to push that lead to double digits as the Pirates struggled to get into an offensive flow. The Pirates hung with UMHB through the middle section of the first half, but a short final surge by the Cru sent SU into the locker room down 21, 38-17. 

UMHB's lead ballooned to 33 points four minutes into the second half, but Southwestern chipped away and came within 22 points, 62-40, with 6:08 to go.  That is as close as SU could pull as the game wound to a close. 

Southwestern shot 31.5% from the field and 24% from three point range while UMHB was 46.4% from the floor and 27.8% from long range. Blake Scott led the scoring for the Pirates with 12 points on 4-7 shooting. Willie Foreman, Jr. led on the boards with six rebounds while SU trailed 42-34 in rebounds overall. 

The loss drops the Pirates to 0-3 on the year while UMHB starts out the year at 1-0. Southwestern comes home for the first time this season to face Wayland Baptist on Tuesday, November 27th at 7 p.m.