HOUSTON – HCU jumped out to a quick 8-2 lead before the offense stalled out and the Huskies dropped a Southland Conference women's basketball matchup, 58-31, to conference-leading Southeastern on Thursday evening inside Sharp Gym.
The Huskies (5-17, 2-11 SLC) forced three early turnovers and connected on three of their first four field goal attempts, including a
Hannah Fields three-pointer, to take an 8-2 lead less than three minutes into the game, forcing a Southeastern (19-3, 13-0 SLC) timeout. The visitors regrouped from there and within four minutes had tied the game at 9-9.
Victoria Dixon made one of two free throws with 1:33 on the clock for a 10-9 HCU lead but the Lady Lions connected on a pair of shots before the buzzer to take a 13-10 advantage.
SLU scored the first four points of the second quarter, moving ahead by seven, before another Fields' three broke HCU's scoring drought. SLU pushed its lead back to eight before the Huskies fought back to just three down, 21-18, following a
Tiffany Tullis free throw at the 2:02 mark. The Lady closed the half by scoring the final six points of the half, however, and led 27-18 at halftime.
The first six points of the second half went to the guests, pushing their lead to 15, before they went on to out-score the Huskies 18-5 in the third quarter. The Southeastern lead then grew as high as 32 in the fourth.
Amy Cotton ended the game with a team-high seven points as she connected on 2-of-4 from three-point range and also added three rebounds, two blocks, two steals and two assists. Fields also finished 2-of-4 from behind the arc for six points.
Cheyanne Daniels led all players with 14 points and 10 rebounds for the double-double while Tyreona Sibley finished with 10 points. HCU shot 25.6 percent (10-of-39) from the floor while the Lady Lions connected at a 39.7 percent (23-of-58) clip. SLU held a 43-23 advantage on the boards.
HCU remains at home to take on the New Orleans Privateers this Saturday, Feb. 8, at 1:00 p.m. inside Sharp Gym.
