COWGIRLS TOP LADY RAMS
December 30, 2006

Box Score

FORT WORTH, TX:  The Texas Wesleyan University women’s basketball team (2-8) suffered a 58-49 loss to Hardin-Simmons University (7-2) on Saturday.  It was the final tune-up for the Lady Rams before they open conference play next week.

In the first half, the Rams held the Cowgirls to just 15.4% shooting from the floor.  However, HSU outscored Texas Wesleyan 16-9 from the free throw line and took a 24-21 edge at the break.

In the second half, HSU jumped ahead 40-31, but an 8-0 run brought Texas Wesleyan within one at 40-39.  The Cowgirls lead swelled back to nine at 54-45 with 2:29 on the clock, when Texas Wesleyan put together another push.  Pilar Pinkus hit a pair of free throws and a jumper in the pain to cut the lead to five with just over a minute to play.

In the final minute Hardin-Simmons hit all four of their free throws to shut the door on a 58-49 win.

An otherwise good game was marred by 53 fouls between the two teams.  HSU outscored Texas Wesleyan 27-19 from the free throw line in the game.  The Rams took a slight edge in shooting 30%-29%, but lost the battle of the boards 40-34.

Moneke Smallwood’s 11 points led Texas Wesleyan.  Nastassia Brown added eight points and eight rebounds.  Lysaa Dennard led a trio of Cowgirls in double figures with 15 points.  Jeni Hobbs added 14, while Shelby Hodges finished with 10.

The Lady Rams return to action on Wednesday, January 3, when they travel to Tyler, TX, to take on Texas College.  That game is scheduled to begin at 5:30 p.m. and will be followed by a men’s game.