ABILENE- Women's basketball found itself in an early deficit they couldn't come back from in an 82-61 loss Thursday against Hardin-Simmons in Abilene.

Sully got on the board first with a Kaylee Martinez free throw. Maria Maldonado retook the lead at 3-2 on a jumper with 8:15 left in the first quarter.

The Cowgirls used the remainder of the quarter on a 27-6 run to lead 29-9 going to the second.

HSU added to their lead, outscoring the Lady Lobos 18-7 to take a 47-16 advantage to the break.

Sully brought it to within 28 on a 5-0 run in the third. Kensi Parker knocked down two free throws before Ashley Nunez drained a triple for a 60-32 score at 4:49. The Cowgirls took a 71-39 lead to the final quarter.

The Lady Lobos best output came in the fourth quarter. They started on a 15-7 with Maldonado adding nine from beyond the arc to make it a 78-54 game with 4:34 remaining.

After an HSU layup, Sully used a quick 5-0 run to trail 80-59 with 1:22 left.

Both sides swapped jumpers in the final minute as the Cowgirls came away with an 82-61 win over the Lady Lobos.

Ashley Nunez finished with a game-high 20 points on 6-12 shooting, 3-7 from beyond the arc, and 5-6 from the free throw line.

Maldonado was also in double-digits with 14.

Sully falls to 4-9 on the season and 2-2 in the ASC. HSU moves to 10-3 and 4-0.

Sully stays in Abilene for a quick trip to McMurry University Saturday for a 1:00 p.m. tipoff.