LONGVIEW - The LeTourneau University women's basketball team returned to action on Saturday as they took on the Hardin-Simmons Cowgirls in ASC play. Playing in their first game of 2013, the Jackets put together one of their best outings of the season in ball control, but it was not enough as Hardin-Simmons survived to take the 66-62 win.
The two teams exchanged baskets to start the game as junior Andrea Ashley made a beautiful drive at the cup for a great finish while former Jacket Alexis Popelar tied it back up with a pair of free throws. Both teams exchanged baskets throughout the first five minutes of the first half as they were tied at 10.
The Cowgirls (6-7, 4-3 ASC) extended their lead to 14-10, but baskets from freshman Ashley Stephens and junior Ashley Fajardo tied the game back at 14.
The two teams went as neither team gained more than a four point advantage for the rest of the first half. The Cowgirls held on to a 34-32 lead going into the break.
After scoring the first three points, LeTourneau (6-7, 3-4 ASC) went on a 11-0 run as Ashley, junior Alexis Wighaman, and junior Julencia Curtis all made layups while drawing fouls to complete three point plays.
However, Hardin-Simmons responded with baskets of their own, highlighted by eight straight points from their point guard, Coco Cartwright, including back-to-back three pointers. LeTourneau respondeed to tie the game at 47 and again took the lead 49-47 thanks to free throws from junior Jessica Manas.
Hardin-Simmons continued to battle back and eventually took the lead back and extended it to five points thanks to a huge three pointer followed by a layup off a missed shot.
The determined Jackets made it a one point game thanks to jumpers from Curtis and Ashley. Hardin-Simmons responded right back with daggering jump shot and took their lead back out to six with 3:20 to go.
After a made layup by Stephens, the Jackets took a huge blow as Ashley, who was battling foul trouble all game, fouled out of the game with 2:37 to go.
With LeTourneau down by five, they got a free throw from Manas and a beautiful driving layup from Stephens to make it a two points game. The Jackets then used great defense to gain possession with 24 seconds to go and a chance to tie or win.
However, LeTourneau couldn't find the basket and Hardin-Simmons shot two free throws to finish the game and take the road win.
For LeTourneau, the team was spectacular as they only turned the ball over nine times and forced 15. However, the Jackets were outrebounded 42-36 and only shot 31% from the field while making no three pointers (0-for-8).
Stephens and Wighaman each led the way for LeTourneau, scoring 13 points each while Stephens pulled down eight boards. Wighaman added two blocked shots and six boards while Curtis came off the bench for eight rebounds. Ashley only played 14 minutes due to foul trouble, but scored 14 points. Manas was excellent defensively with three steals.
The Jackets will take a few days off before returning to Solheim Arena on Thursday as they welcome in the high-octane Louisiana College Wildcats in their first ASC East game of the season. Tipoff is set for 5:30 p.m. and the game can be seen live at letuathletics.tv.
