Cru Capture First Women’s Basketball Crown

RICHARDSON, Texas – Mary Hardin-Baylor won its first American Southwest Conference Championship in women’s basketball Saturday night by defeating Hardin-Simmons 60-58 at the UTD Activity Center.

The No. 16/17 Cru (24-4) receive the ASC’s automatic qualifier to the NCAA Division III Women’s Basketball Championship. The field announcement is on Monday, March 2, at 1:30 pm on NCAA.com.

The Cowgirls (21-7) led 12-11 after the first quarter, but UMHB outscored them 17-8 in the second to take a 28-20 advantage into the break. The Cru maintained an eight-point lead at 43-35 headed into the final period.

Mary Hardin-Baylor extended their lead to 14 at 53-39 with 5:31 to go. HSU went on a 21-3 run over the next 4:11 to tie it up at 56-56.

TIed at 58 all, Cru senior guard Alicia Blackwell knocked down a jumper from the elbow with 12 seconds left, which proved to be the game-winner. The Cowgirls missed three shots in the final seconds, securing the win for the top seed in the West Division.

For the game, UMHB shot 33.3 percent (23-of-69) from the field, 2-of-14 from three-point range, and 12-of-13 at the line. They also recorded 34 rebounds, nine assists, ten turnovers, four blocks, and 12 steals,

HSU shot 39.7 percent (23-of-58) overall, 1-of-15 from outside and 11-of-14 at the line to go with 47 boards, nine assists, 21 turnovers, three blocks, and seven steals.

Blackwell led the Cru with 17 points, six rebounds, and three assists and tied the ASC Championship Finals record with five steals. Senior guard Kendall Rollins added 12 points. They selected both players to the All-Tournament Team as well as Most Valuable Player Hannah Holt.

Senior guard Taylor Gaffney paced the Cowgirls with 20 points, while freshman forward Parris Parmer scored 12 points with nine rebounds. Both players made the All-Tourney Team as well.

2020 All-Tournament Team

Hannah Holt, Mary Hardin-Baylor (MVP)

Alicia Blackwell, Mary Hardin-Baylor

Taylor Gaffney, Hardin-Simmons

Parris Parmer, Hardin-Simmons

Victoria Pena, UT Dallas

Kendall Rollins, Mary Hardin-Baylor

Amanda Wilson, East Texas Baptist