ABILENE, Texas -   McMurry University women's basketball lost round one of the Crosstown Showdown to Hardin-Simmons University, 72-64, at the Mabee Complex. The War Hawks fell to 6-14 overall and 3-8 in the American Southwest Conference, while the Cowgirls improved to 13-6 and 7-4 in the ASC.
 
A nip-and-tuck first quarter ended knotted at 13-13, thanks to a running layup by Sarah Doherty at the buzzer. But the second stanza found the War Hawks hit by a 29-14 HSU offensive thrust, buoyed by the host's hot-shooting (76 percent from the field), as McMurry trailed 42-27 at the break.
 
Early in the second half, HSU kept the pressure on, leading by as many as 20 points – 53-35 – at the 3:53 juncture of the third quarter. However, a 12-3 McM run to close the period drew the visitors to within 11 (56-45) entering the fourth quarter.
 
A layup by London Weilert got the War Hawks within single digits, 58-49, with 8:59 left the play. But the Cowgirls were able to forge a double-digit lead again, which it held the majority of the final segment.
 
Doherty led the McMurry scorers with 16 points on a 6-of-17 shooting day from the floor. Doherty had a pair of three-point baskets among her totals, while also pulling down four rebounds.
 
Junior forward Skyler Reyna added another double-double to her coffers, scoring 13 points and grabbing a game-high 14 rebounds. Reyna was 4-for-11 shooting in picking up her 12th double-double of the season and 31st of her McM career.
 
Sophomore Brittany Rodgers was an efficient 4-of-8 from the floor off the bench, tallying 12 points. Starting guard London Weilert was the fourth War Hawk with double-figure scoring, chipping in 10 points and snaring six rebounds, as well.
 
Junior Isabel Carrion provided a balanced seven points, six rebounds and two assists to the McMurry cause. Savannah Johnson and Jaymi Gordon-Deans booked three points apiece to round out the War Hawks' offense.
 
McMurry will next be in action on Thursday (Jan. 31) when its hosts nationally-ranked Mary Hardin-Baylor at Kimbrell Arena. Tip-off is slated for 5:30 p.m.