ABILENE, Texas -- The #RV Texas Lutheran women's basketball team came up with big plays down the stretch to defeat #RV Hardin-Simmons, 72-66, at the Mabee Complex in Abilene. TLU had all five starters in double figures led by a 17-point and 12-rebound double-double from Sarahi Jones (Los Fresnos/Los Fresnos). Kayla Presley (Kyle/San Marcos), who made her return after missing all but six games last season due to injury, with 15 points and eight rebounds. The Bulldogs' season opening victory snapped a six-game losing streak to the Cowgirls for the first win over Hardin-Simmons since 2017. The win in Abilene over the Cowgirls is just the second for the Bulldogs since becoming an NCAA institution with the first instance coming in 2015.

The season opening win is the second season-opening victory in the Patterson era.

The lead changed five times with two ties in the fourth quarter with Lauren Sansano (San Antonio/FEAST) and Presley combining for 16 points to lead the Bulldogs in the period. Sansano went 5-of-6 from the free throw line in the final 20 seconds to ice the game. Free throws played a key role in the Bulldogs victory on Friday night as they went 20-of-26 (76.9%) from the line while the Cowgirls shot just 55.6 percent from the line (10-of-18).

TLU won the turnover battle forcing 21 Cowgirls turnovers compared to their 19 and held preseason All-American Jacqueline Berry to just three points.

The Bulldogs started the season ice cold, shooting just 23 percent from the field to trail 19-9 after the first quarter.

Ten points from Angelina Sotelo (San Marcos/San Marcos) in the second quarter kept the Bulldogs afloat as they faced an eight point deficit at halftime.

TLU outscored HSU 17-9 in the third quarter led by nine points from Sarahi Jones to tie the game 52-all entering the fourth quarter. The fourth was tight throughout as the Bulldogs were able to get their first leads since the first quarter before getting their largest lead in the final minute of the game.

The Bulldogs will stay on the road on Saturday, Nov. 8, as they face Howard Payne, in non-conference action. Tip-off is set for 3 PM. All streaming and live stats links will be available on tlubulldogs.com.

Fans can receive updates by following @tluathletics & @tluwbb on X (Twitter) and catch up with the latest news and notes on the team by clicking LIKE on the TLU Athletics Facebook page at @tlubulldogs or by visiting the team's Instagram page at @tluwbb and as always follow TLU athletics on all of our social channels for updates on all things TLU Athletics.