Colorado College erased an early deficit and led late, but Hardin-Simmons University held on for a 68-66 win Wednesday afternoon at Reid Arena. 

The Tigers (5-4) climbed back from a seven-point first-quarter hole, took a two-point lead into the break, and were locked in a back-and-forth finish before the Cowgirls escaped with the two-point decision.

Colorado College was led by senior Kayla Mackel and freshman Rayna Welsch, who scored 19 points apiece. The Tigers shot 82 percent from the free-throw line (14-for-17) and knocked down eight three-pointers, keeping pressure on throughout the second half.

After Hardin-Simmons opened the game with a 14-7 edge after one, Colorado College responded with its best offensive quarter of the day in the second. 

CC outscored HSU 22-13 in the period to go in front 29-27 at halftime. The teams traded punches in the second half — CC carried a 45-43 advantage into the fourth — but Hardin-Simmons used a strong final quarter to inch ahead at the finish.

Colorado College was led by Mackel and Welsch, who scored 19 points apiece. The Tigers shot 82 percent from the free-throw line (14-for-17) and knocked down eight three-pointers, keeping pressure on throughout the second half.

HSU was paced by Jacqueline Berry, who finished with a game-high 30 points, while MaeSyn Gay added 14. The Cowgirls found success inside, holding a 44-26 advantage in points in the paint, and also converted 11 second-chance points.

Colorado College finished the afternoon shooting 37.9 percent from the field (22-of-58) and 29.6 percent from three-point range (8-of-27), while converting 14-of-17 free throws. Naiya Kurnik anchored the Tigers on the glass with a game-high 11 rebounds, while Kayla Mackel and Rayna Welsch each added six boards. 

Junior JuJu Garcia provided a spark off the bench, knocking down three three-pointers and finishing with nine points, while Isa Nelson added eight points and three assists. 

CC is back in action against Wartbug on Saturday at 3 p.m. MT at Reid Arena.