ABILENE, TX (12.18.18) - After 10 days off for finals, the No. 19-ranked UT Dallas women's basketball team was handed its second straight loss as the Comets fell at Hardin-Simmons, 67-66, Tuesday afternoon in American Southwest Conference crossover play.

The Comets (6-3, 3-2 ASC) trailed by eight points with two minutes to play but used an 11-3 run down the stretch to knot the game, 66-66, with a Katie Gunter lay up with 17 seconds to play. However, HSU's Kaitlyn Ellis hit the second of two free throws with just 5.1 on the clock to give the host Cowgirls back the lead and the Comets failed to get off a game-winning shot attempt in the final seconds, turning over the ball in the paint.

UTD and the Cowgirls traded leads throughout the opening half and would go into the locker room tied, 24-24. HSU outscored the Comets, 21-17, in the third period, however, to secure a four-point cushion, 45-41, heading into the final 10 minutes of the contest. UTD would not be able to take the lead back in the fourth quarter.

Raenett Hughes led the Comets with 17 points on 8-of-12 shooting while adding five rebounds. Victoria Pena pitched in 15 points while Gunther added 11 points and Mia Spennato came off the bench for 10 points to round out the UTD player in double figures. Gunther led the squad with seven rebounds.

The Comets finished the game shooting just 38.6 percent (22-of-57) from the field, connecting on just 3-of-13 three-pointers (23.1%), and shot 57.6 percent (19-of-33) from the free-throw line.

UTD will return to action Thursday at 2 p.m. when the Comets visit McMurry for another ASC crossover game in Abilene.