BETHANY, OK — The Texas Wesleyan Women's Basketball team dropped its Sooner Athletic Conference opener Saturday afternoon, falling 62-52 to Southwestern Christian University at Pickens-Springer Gymnasium.  

Sophia Hurtado led Texas Wesleyan with 16 points and eight rebounds, shooting an efficient 5-for-8 from the field and 6-for-6 from the free-throw line. Kameryn Phillips added 11 points and four rebounds, while Imani Mitchell and Taryn Wills contributed eight points each.

The first quarter set the tone for a tight contest, with SCU holding a slim 21-19 lead. SCU's Chrissen Harland, who finished with a game-high 18 points, hit three triples in the opening frame to pace the Eagles. Texas Wesleyan responded with strong play inside, highlighted by Hurtado's six points in the paint.

Both teams struggled offensively in the second quarter, combining for nine points. SCU edged Texas Wesleyan 4-2, maintaining a 25-21 halftime lead. The Rams shot 15.4% in the quarter, hampered by missed opportunities and turnovers.

Texas Wesleyan rallied in the third quarter behind Hurtado and Phillips, cutting the deficit to one point. However, SCU's three-point shooting proved decisive, with Harland and Delaney Reimer combining for five triples on the afternoon. Reimer added 13 points and eight rebounds, while Brooke Roberson chipped in nine points.

Despite Texas Wesleyan's strong free-throw shooting (89.5%), SCU pulled away in the fourth quarter, outscoring the Rams 19-10. Key contributions come from the Rams' bench, including Iasia Goldman's five rebounds, which were insufficient to overcome SCU's consistent scoring.

The Rams will return to action Monday at 6 p.m. in the Sud Richardson Center Against the Trailblazers of the University of North Texas Dallas.