BROWNWOOD, Texas – In a game with 11 lead changes and seven ties, Hardin-Simmons University came out on top 77-71 over Mississippi College Friday afternoon in the first round of the 2011 American Southwest Conference women's basketball championship tournament.

The last tie was broke with 1:16 left when the Cowgirl's Coco Cartwright hit her only three of the game to give HSU the advantage 72-69. From that point, Mississippi gave up a offensive rebound off an intentional foul late in the game and was never able recover.

Hardin-Simmons' Alexis Popelar had the hot hand offensively with six of seven shooting from behind the arc, finishing with 28 points. Lindsay Newcombe finished with a double-double of 22 points and 17 rebounds.

The Lady Choctaws leading scorer was Traci Rodgers with 24 points. Behind her was Jalessa Taylor with 16 points and seven rebounds.

The Cowgirls will face the Lady Wildcats of Louisiana College in the semi-finals of the women's basketball ASC Championship Tournament tommorow at 2:00 p.m.