BOX SCORE

Abilene, Texas – Alex O'Neal recorded eight points and eight assists while committing just one turnover to lead the Concordia University Texas women's basketball team to a 63-53 victory over Hardin-Simmons on Saturday, Jan. 19 at the Mabee Complex. It was the Tornados' first victory over the Cowgirls in 25 tries after they allowed the hosts to make only six field goals in the second half.

Hardin-Simmons (7-9, ASC 5-7) was in complete control to start the game as Concordia missed 11 of its first 12 field goal attempts. A good free throw by Jasmine Lewis made it 29-13 with 5:16 remaining in the half, but the Tornados scored 12 unanswered to get back in the game and keep it close at the break. Domonique Liddell started the run by sinking two shots from stripe, while Lashanda Luckey provided half of the scoring during the stretch that slashed the deficit to four. Alexis Popelar sank two free throws to create a 31-25 halftime score.

Concordia (13-3, ASC 11-2) picked up where it left off at the start of the second half and took its first lead at the 13:30 mark when Alex O'Neal found Shamika Singleton down low for a layup. The Cowgirls, however, went back ahead as Angela Newcombe finished a pass from Popelar on the next play.

The teams changed leads over the final 12 minutes of action, setting up a photo finish for the third straight meeting. O'Neal set up Paige Parrish for a good jumper that gave Concordia the lead back at 40-39 before Whitney Enis made a basket on the other end to give the Cowgirls the one-point advantage at the midway point.

O'Neal, the team's starting point guard, set up Singleton for two baskets and added four points of her own as Concordia started to speed ahead in the final five minutes of regulation. A pair of free throws by O'Neal gave the Tornados a comfortable 54-46 lead, as the visitors would never look back.

In addition to O'Neal, Concordia also got strong contributions from Singleton, Parrish and Lidell. Singleton finished with 14 points on 7-for-12 shooting and added eight boards, while Parrish scored nine. Liddell contributed nine points, five boards and three blocks.

Hardin-Simmons was paced by Popelar, who scored a game-high 19 points and made all 10 of her free throw attempts. Lewis scored nine points, and Angela Newcombe grabbed 12 boards.

Concordia will have the opportunity to qualify for the American Southwest Conference Tournament when it returns home to host Sul Ross State on Thursday, Jan. 26 at 5:30 p.m. and Howard Payne on Saturday, Jan. 28 at 1:00 p.m.