ABILENE -- The McMurry women's basketball team is in sole possession of first place again in the American Southwest Conference West Division as they knocked off cross-town rival Hardin-Simmons, 77-71, in a crucial game Monday night at Kimbrell Arena. 

With the win, McMurry improves to 15-4 overall and 12-3 in ASC play; meanwhile, the loss drops HSU to 15-4 and 11-4.  McMurry returns to action when they host Mary Hardin-Baylor at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday. 

Senior guard Amber Horton led McMurry with a team-high 18 points, including 8 of 10 from the charity stripe.  Senior Ashley Stephens had a huge game off the bench as she scored 13 points (on 6 of 10 shooting from the field) and grabbed eight rebounds.

Other top performers for McMurry included Dominique Brown, who finished with eight points and six assists; and Anna Berthel, who finished with 15 points and six rebounds.