ABILENE, Texas – The Saint Mary's women's basketball team (3-5) fell to Hardin-Simmons University (12-1) 83-53 on Saturday at the Mabee Complex in Abilene, Texas. The Cowgirls made it tough for the Cardinals as they were previously ranked No. 16 and receiving votes to be ranked again. 
 
Brianna Nusbaum emerged as a key player for the Cardinals with a strong performance, leading all scorers with 16 points on 7-of-17 shooting, including two 3-pointers. She also contributed six rebounds and three assists.
 
Rylie Sternquist was another standout, recording 13 points and setting a career high with six assists, while also adding seven rebounds. Julia Koch played a significant defensive role, leading the team with two steals and contributing five rebounds.
 
Kali Olson made an impact with her rebounding and defense, registering nine rebounds and two blocks, providing solid support in the paint.
 
The Cowgirls quickly surged to a 6-0 lead to start the game. Olson got her team on the board with a layup three minutes in, breaking the seal on the rim. As the first quarter came to a close, Lindsey Lettner and Nusbaum each nailed a three-pointer for the Cardinals as the deficit fell to 10, 24-14.
 
Lettner hit an early free throw, but the Cardinals went cold for four minutes. Down 31-18, Emma Mann sank a three-pointer at the four-minute mark. Sternquist grabbed an offensive rebound for a put-back, and Nusbaum finished with a layup, scoring the final four points of the half down 45-24.
 
Nusbaum, Olson, and Sternquist each took advantage of open driving lanes for layups to start the second half. The Cowgirls then closed the third quarter with an 11-5 run, pushing their lead to 27 heading into the final 10 minutes of play.
 
Two minutes into the second half, Nusbaum forced a steal, converting it into a fast-break layup. This came after Olson had also recorded a steal, leading to two made free throws by Sternquist.

Lettner connected on her second three-pointer of the game, and Victoria Marial scored her first points with a smooth layup, thanks to a perfect over-the-top assist from Tessa McMahon, as the game came to a close.
 
The Cardinals are back in action at 1 p.m. tomorrow taking on McMurry University to round out their weekend games in Texas.