Southwestern was unable to recover from a poor offensive first half and lost their season and home opener on Saturday, 70-57 to Hardin-Simmons.

HSU kicked the game off with a three and slowly pulled ahead 14-8 at the halfway mark of the first half. Southwestern's offense went quiet as they were scoreless through the next four minutes as Hardin-Simmons mounted a 24-11 lead with 6:30 remaining.

The Cowboys pushed their lead to 17, 39-22, but the Pirates went 4-4 from the free throw line in the final minute to head into the break trailing 40-26.

Back to back dunks from Blake Scott early in the second half got the Pirates rolling and Travis Kurtz drained a three to pull SU within seven, 48-41, with just under 13 minutes to play.

Southwestern's defense kept HSU without a field goal in the next five minutes, but weren't able to close the gap until Ryan Ogden's three with 8:47 remaining cut the Cowboys' lead to five, 54-49.

Hardin-Simmons was able to stay just out of reach the rest of the way and made big shots down the stretch while holding the Pirates to just three field goals in the final eight minutes.

Kurtz led the Pirates with nine points as SU shot 43.8% from the floor, 27.3% from three point range and 50% from the free throw line. Hardin-Simmons was led by Christian O'Neal who posted 21 points in the win.

Blake Scott had seven rebounds and Ogden six to lead on the glass for SU.

Southwestern starts the year 0-1 while HSU improves to 2-0. The Pirates remain at home to face Texas Lutheran on Monday for a non-conference match-up beginning at 7 pm.