Tigers Narrowly Defeated by Hardin-Simmons in Intense Basketball Showdown
In a wild women’s basketball clash at Reid Arena, Colorado College dropped a heartbreaker to Hardin-Simmons University. The Tigers fell just short, 68-66.
They fought hard to erase an early deficit and even led at several points, but the Cowgirls edged them out in the final moments. The energy in the gym was electric—fans couldn’t look away.
Colorado College’s Strong Performance
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The Tigers refused to back down after trailing by seven in the first quarter. They stormed back with a 22-13 run in the second, snagging a two-point lead at halftime.
Senior Kayla Mackel and freshman Rayna Welsch both lit up the scoreboard with 19 points each. Their hustle kept Colorado College right in the thick of things.
Key Players and Statistics
Mackel and Welsch didn’t just score—they hit the glass, too, grabbing six rebounds apiece. The Tigers shot a sharp 82 percent from the free-throw line (14-for-17).
They also drained eight three-pointers, which helped them stay close. Here’s a quick look at the stat leaders:
- Kayla Mackel: 19 points, 6 rebounds
- Rayna Welsch: 19 points, 6 rebounds
- JuJu Garcia: 9 points, 3 three-pointers
- Isa Nelson: 8 points, 3 assists
- Naiya Kurnik: 11 rebounds
Hardin-Simmons’ Dominance in the Paint
Colorado College knocked down their outside shots, but Hardin-Simmons found their groove inside. The Cowgirls outscored the Tigers 44-26 in the paint, using their size and strength to get easy buckets.
Jacqueline Berry led the way for Hardin-Simmons, pouring in 30 points. MaeSyn Gay chipped in 14.
Second-Chance Points
The Cowgirls also capitalized on offensive boards, picking up 11 second-chance points. That edge on the glass really mattered in such a tight game.
- Jacqueline Berry: 30 points
- MaeSyn Gay: 14 points
The Game’s Flow
This one was a back-and-forth battle. Both teams traded leads, and neither could pull away.
Colorado College entered the fourth quarter up 45-43. In the end, though, Hardin-Simmons put together a stronger final period and took the win.
The Tigers shot 37.9 percent from the field (22-for-58) and 29.6 percent from deep (8-of-27). Not perfect, but not bad either.
Final Quarter Drama
The last quarter felt like a rollercoaster. Both squads fought for every basket, but the Cowgirls’ late surge made the difference.
Looking Ahead
Colorado College gets another shot on Saturday at 3 p.m. MT, hosting Wartburg at Reid Arena. They’ll try to build on the positives and clean up the little things that cost them this time.
Upcoming Match
The upcoming game against Wartburg is a big chance for the Tigers to show their resilience. Fans are in for another exciting contest as Colorado College pushes to improve their record.
Want more details or curious about the team’s progress? Check out the official Colorado College athletics website.
Colorado College’s recent game against Hardin-Simmons really showed their grit. Even though the Tigers lost, you could see the talent and drive in every play.