ABILENE, Texas – The McMurry women's basketball team fell to crosstown foe Hardin-Simmons University, 76-65, on the road at the Mabee Complex. It was the second time this season that the War Hawks (5-17) were defeated by the Cowgirls (10-13) this season.
 
Both teams shot well from the floor. McMurry hit nearly 42 percent (26-62), but HSU canned 51 percent (30-59) from the field. The Cowgirls had a 10-point advantage (40-30) on points in the paint, as well.
 
McM trailed 20-18 after one quarter and HSU still only led by two at the intermission (35-33), after the War Hawks played them even in the second quarter.  The third period is where the Cowgirls created some separation, by out-dueling McMurry 22-15, and then added to that with a 19-17 margin in the fourth period.
 
McMurry junior Haley Welch paced McMurry with 15 points, hitting 6-of-12 from the floor. Welch also had three rebounds and two steals to her credit. 
 
War Hawks senior Taylor Russell notched her 15th double-double game of the season, scoring 14 points and grabbing 10 rebounds, despite missing several minutes of the opening quarter after coming down awkwardly after a rebound and injuring her ankle. Russell was also 6-of-12 from the field in her 29 minutes of action. It was also Russell's 20th game in double-figure scoring, out of McM's 22 games played.
 
Sophomore Sham Hunter narrowly missed a double-double of her own. Hunted tallied 10 points and snared nine boards. She also had two assists, a block and a steal.
 
Sierra Maykus added nine points, along with three assists. Jamie Flores chipped in eight, Chelsie Lail six and Amye Templeton three to round out McMurry's scoring. Lail also had a team-best four assists.
 
HSU had a total of six players finish in double digits.