GEORGETOWN, TEXAS - The Southwestern University women's basketball team earned its first Southern Athletic Association victory of the season on Sunday, holding off Oglethorpe University for a 72–67 win inside the Robertson Center. With the win, Southwestern improves to 10–4 overall and 1–2 in SAA play. 

The Pirates and Stormy Petrels traded punches early, with Oglethorpe edging Southwestern 16–15 after the opening quarter. Southwestern shot 50 percent from the field in the first quarter to keep pace before Oglethorpe carried a slim 30–28 lead into halftime. The Pirates responded coming out of the break with their most efficient stretch of the game, shooting 66.7 percent from the floor and 83.3 percent from three-point range in the third quarter while outscoring the Stormy Petrels 25–15 to seize control of the contest.

Southwestern carried a 53–45 advantage into the final frame and sealed the win at the free-throw line, converting 11-of-12 attempts in the fourth quarter. Despite a late push from Oglethorpe, the Pirates' composure down the stretch secured the five-point victory in a tightly contested game that featured 10 lead changes and eight ties.

GAME HIGHLIGHTS

• Lizzy Kellam led the Pirates with a team-high 17 points on an efficient 7-of-10 shooting performance, while adding four rebounds

• Neela Castillo followed with 16 points, knocking down four three-pointers and pulling down a game-high 12 rebounds to record a double-double

•  Trinity Benitez chipped in 15 points on 5-of-7 shooting and grabbed six rebounds, while Emma Flores added 13 points, connecting on three shots from beyond the arc

GAME NOTES

• Adrianna McCoy contributed five points and three assists, Kylee Symons added two points and four rebounds, and Lauren Stevens provided four points and three rebounds off the bench

• Offensively, Southwestern finished the night shooting 52.3 percent from the field, 45.5 percent from beyond the arc, and 88.9 percent at the free-throw line. The Pirates connected on 10 three-pointers and went 16-of-18 from the stripe in the contest

• The Pirates capitalized on key opportunities throughout the contest, recording 20 points in the paint and 10 fast-break points. Southwestern also turned defense into offense with 16 points off turnovers and added eight second-chance points. The Pirate bench played a significant role in the win, contributing 21 points.

UP NEXT 

• Southwestern will hit the road and travel to Jackson, Mississippi, to face Millsaps College on January 16, with tipoff set for 5:30 p.m.