It was a chance to get back at the conference-leading Hardin-Simmons University Cowgirls.

The Cowgirls entered the game riding a 13-game winning streak while sporting an unblemished conference record.

Sul Ross was attempting to end a 12-game losing streak to the Cowgirls. The Lobo women's basketball team had not beaten Hardin-Simmons since Jan. 20, 2018.

It came down to the wire as Sul Ross showed a tremendous amount of heart against the No. 15 ranked team in the country.

Sul Ross held a two-point lead with 10 seconds to go in the contest.

Parmer Parris then knocked down the game-winning three-pointer to lift the Cowgirls to a 90-89 heart pounding victory Thursday night at the Pete P. Gallego Center.

"Our players played their hearts out. What threw our players off was the zone defense," said Sul Ross head coach E.J. Lee Smith. "Our players had a hard time adjusting. It's not just that. We just need to play a little smarter. We play hard, no doubt in my mind."

There were two lead changes to start the first quarter before Hardin-Simmons took a 9-4 lead.

The Cowgirls were up by as much as six before Sul Ross began to fight its way back. Brianna Martin got things going with a three-pointer and then Lauren Lusk landed a layup to cut the deficit to one.

On two free throws by Marley Rokas, the Lobos took a 15-14 lead with 4:45 in the opening quarter.

Kayley Diaz made four quick points while Emily Bunger added with a layup on the fast break to put Sul Ross ahead by seven.

Victoria Aguayo then made a layup to increase the run to 12-0.

Sul Ross held a seven-point lead to start the second quarter on a shot in the paint from Vania Hampton.

The Cowgirls then got a three-pointer to cut the deficit to one. Diaz then answered with a clutch three to make the score 33-31 with 7:38 on the clock.

Hardin-Simmons later knocked down another three-pointer to gain a one-point lead.

The Lobos used a 9-0 run to lead by eight with 4:59 remaining until halftime. Bunger scored five points during the momentum-changing rally.

Down the stretch, Sul Ross got a clutch three from Hampton to lead 49-41 with 2:12 to go.

On a layup by Lusk, the Lobos led by as much as 10.

Hardin-Simmons cut the deficit to eight after making two free throws to close out the first half.

The Lobos had their largest lead of the contest with 3:11 in the third quarter when Martin made a free throw to put them up by 14.

Hardin-Simmons worked its way back to cut the lead down to five to end the third quarter.

Sul Ross began the final quarter on a 6-0 run that started with a jumper in the paint by Melody Martinez.

There were three different lead changes towards the end of the fourth quarter.

Sul Ross led by six at one point before Hardin-Simmons tied up the game at 80-all. The Lobos then went on a 5-0 run highlighted by five points from Martinez.

The Cowgirls came back to tie the game at 85-all. Martin then gave the Lobos the lead back by making two free throws with 1:02 remaining.

Hardin-Simmons tied up the score at 87-all before Rokas put Sul Ross back on top with a two-point lead.

Diaz led the way with 15 points and two assists while Bunger also chipped in with 15 points. Rokas and Martinez each added with 13 points.

Hampton finished with 11 points, five assists and four rebounds.

The Lobos shot 14 of 16 from the free throw line and 51.4 percent from the field. They were narrowly outrebounded, 28-31.

Rokas grabbed a team-high nine rebounds while Aguayo tallied six.

"There are a lot of games coming up. We just have to win all of them in order for us to survive. This Saturday game is going to be very important for us," added Smith. "It's not going to be easy. All of our players, even bench players, were together.

"We haven't been playing like that. We keep continuously playing together and I believe a lot of good things are going to happen to this team."

>> RECORDS: Sul Ross (11-8, 7-5); Hardin-Simmons (17-2, 12-0)

>> UP NEXT: The Lobos host McMurry at 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 28.

>> AMERICAN SOUTHWEST CONFERENCE STANDINGS: 1. Hardin-Simmons (17-2, 12-0); 2. (tie) Mary Hardin-Baylor (13-5, 8-3); and UT-Dallas (12-6, 8-3); 4. East Texas Baptist (14-5, 8-4); 5. Sul Ross (11-8, 7-5); 6. Concordia (8-9, 5-6); 7. University of the Ozarks (7-11, 4-7); 8. McMurry (10-8, 4-8); 9. LeTourneau (6-13, 2-10); 10. Howard Payne (2-17, 0-12).