LONGVIEW, Texas – Hardin-Simmons rode a hot-shooting first quarter to an 80-67 victory over the LETU at Solheim Arena Saturday.
 
The setback soured senior day for four YellowJackets, which fell to 11-8 overall, including 8-6 in American Southwest Conference play. HSU moved to 16-4, 11-4.
 
In her final game in front of the home crowd, senior Keauna Whitfield collected her 28^th-career double-double, with 20 points and 12 rebounds. The Rosebud, Texas, native added two blocks two steals, an assist and drew half of the opposition's personal fouls.
 
Senior Allaira Jones chipped in with eight points and eight boards, while senior Kiara McElroy totaled seven points, four assists and three boards. Senior Ajanae Thomas tallied four points and five rebounds.
 
The Cowgirls built a 24-13 lead after one quarter by hitting 9 of 20 shots from the floor, including 5 of 8 from behind the arc. LETU trimmed the margin to single digits on multiple occasions over the final three points, but the YellowJackets were unable to recover from the slow start.
 
Hardin-Simmons held a three-point advantage over the final three periods despite being held to 2 of 11 from three-point range. Struggling from distance, LETU cashed in at the free-throw line, making 16 of 22, including 13 points at the stripe in the final 30 minutes.
 
The YellowJackets close out the 2021-22 regular season with a two-game road swing, beginning at UT Dallas Tuesday. In the toughest part of its schedule, Tuesday's game is the fifth in 10 days for LETU, including three of the top four squads in the American Southwest Conference standings.
 
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