Abilene, Texas - University of St. Thomas women's basketball team traveled west Texas for a two-game road trip and a tough opponent Friday night. After winning in Brownwood Thursday night, the Celts returned on the road and traveled to Abilene, facing the well-rested Hardin-Simmons University Cowgirls. It was the home opener for Hardin-Simmons, who had picked up where they left off last year when they went 26-4 and reached the Sweet 16. The road-weary Celts showed tired legs early and never found their rhythm, falling 80-51 for their first season loss; UST is 2-1 on the year.

The game started with the Celts trailing early, as Hardin-Simmons jumped to a 23-10 lead in the first quarter. Madison Williams led the charge for the Cowgirls, scoring 10 points in the opening period to set the tone. The Celts struggled to find their rhythm offensively, and Hardin-Simmons capitalized, extending their lead to 48-23 by halftime.

The Cowgirls maintained their momentum in the third quarter, controlling the game with consistent shooting and intense defensive pressure. The Celts had some bright moments, including Amyia Bowie's 8 points and Kenna Gibson's 9-point, 7 rebound performance, but they could not close the gap.

Several Celts delivered solid efforts. Gibson led the way with 9 points and 7 rebounds, demonstrating her ability to impact the game on both ends of the court. Bowie contributed eight points, showing consistency at the free-throw line and adding four rebounds. Ravyn Ellis made the most of her minutes, scoring 6 points, including 2 three-pointers that briefly sparked the Celts' offense.

Up Next

The Celts travel home and prepare for a challenging matchup against NCAA Division I opponent Sam Houston on November 20th at 5 PM in Huntsville, TX. For the latest updates, visit USTCelts.com or follow ustwbasketball on Instagram.