HAMMOND, La. – HCU built an eight-point halftime lead, but Southeastern used a strong second half to rally past the Huskies, defeating the huskies women's basketball team 68-61 Saturday at the University Center.

HCU (6-16, 4-11 SLC) led 34-26 at the break after shooting 55 percent in the second quarter and knocking down five first-half threes. The Huskies held the advantage through most of the third before Southeastern (4-18, 3-12 SLC) closed the period on a run to take a 48-46 edge heading into the final frame.

Tove Caesar and Madison Hurta each scored 13 points to pace the Huskies, while Grace Booth added 12 on 6-of-9 shooting with five rebounds. Kamryn McLaurin contributed 11 points and four boards off the bench, and Jordan Jackson chipped in seven.

HCU shot 43 percent from the field but went cold from deep after halftime, finishing 5-of-20 from three. The Huskies scored 30 points in the paint and converted 18 fast-break points, but turnovers down the stretch helped Southeastern pull away.

The Lions opened the fourth quarter with a 7-0 burst to take their largest lead at 55-48. HCU answered with baskets from McLaurin, Hurta and Caesar to pull within one, 62-61, with under two minutes remaining, but Southeastern closed the game on a 6-0 run at the free-throw line.

Hurta hit three triples and added two steals, while Booth scored multiple key baskets inside during the third and fourth quarters. Caesar played a team-high 39 minutes and added three rebounds and two assists.

Southeastern finished with 10 made threes and held a 39-29 rebounding edge. Aliyah Collins and Mia Ramos led the Lions with 13 and 14 points, respectively.

The Huskies return to action next week at home as they continue Southland Conference play.