LONGVIEW – LeTourneau's women's basketball fell to No. 17 Mary Hardin-Baylor, 67-64, Saturday.

The YellowJackets (12-11, 8-6 American Southwest Conference) were vying for their first win over a ranked opponent this season. And they nearly did it in a nip-and-tuck affair not decided until the final seconds. The Crusaders improved to 19-4, 12-2.

Malacia Guy buried a triple with 3:15 remaining to give LeTourneau a 61-56 lead. After A'Lexiss Benton and Alicia Blackwell scored to pull the Crusaders within 61-60, Keauna Whitfield sank three free throws with 2:00 left to give LETU another two-possession lead, 64-60. Allaira Jones scored 11 seconds later as the Cru cut it to 64-62. She then split a pair from the free throw line to make it a one-point game.

Bethany McLeod sank two free throws with 37 seconds left as UHMB took a 65-64 lead. A YellowJackets' offensive foul gave the ball back to the Crusaders. Blackwell sank two free throws with 11 seconds on the clock. LETU had two chances to score in the final possession, but could not cash in.

Whitfield finished with 27 points and five rebounds. She went 10 of 17 from the floor, and 4 of 8 from three-point range. Vanessa Cruz added nine points, five assists and a steal. She was 5 of 7 at the stripe. Scruffy Hopkins had seven points and four rebounds before fouling out. Flora Akingbade ripped down 11 rebounds, and had four points and a block.

Hannah Holt scored 23 points, and Blackwell added 10 for UHMB.

LeTourneau outrebounded Mary Hardin-Baylor, 42-34. The Jackets had 14 offensive rebounds. The YellowJackets outscored the Cru, 11-7, in second chance points.

LETU and UHMB battled through seven ties and 10 lead changes.

LeTourneau will host Louisiana College Thursday and Belhaven Saturday on Senior Day to wrap up the regular season.