NEVADA, Mo. — Despite a 20-point performance from Ashton Burgener, the Southwestern College women's basketball team suffered its first loss of the 2026-27 season Friday evening, falling to Cottey College 51-44 in a nonconference matchup.
The loss dropped the Moundbuilders to 3-1 on the season, snapping their three-game winning streak to open the year.
Burgener led the Southwestern offense, finishing with a game-high 20 points on 6-of-18 shooting from the field. She also connected on seven of nine free throw attempts while adding five rebounds, three assists and a steal in 34 minutes of action.
Southwestern opened the contest with a quick 3-0 advantage behind Burgener before Cottey responded with its own offensive production. The Comets held a 14-11 lead after the opening quarter.
The Moundbuilders struggled offensively in the second quarter, connecting on just one of 10 field goal attempts while scoring five points. Cottey took advantage of Southwestern's shooting struggles, carrying a 24-16 advantage into halftime.
Trailing by as many as 14 points during the third quarter, Southwestern began to find its offensive rhythm late in the period. The Moundbuilders outscored Cottey 12-10 in the third quarter, cutting the deficit to 34-28 entering the final 10 minutes.
Southwestern continued its comeback attempt in the fourth quarter, with Burgener connecting on a 3-pointer to give the Moundbuilders a 37-35 advantage with 6:45 remaining. Burgener later extended Southwestern's lead to 41-39 before Cottey responded with a 3-pointer from Akyria James to regain control.
The Comets maintained their advantage down the stretch, securing the seven-point victory.
Toni Hodges-Tipton contributed eight points and four rebounds off the bench for Southwestern, while Anna Price added four points and a team-high six rebounds.
Southwestern finished the evening shooting 30.6% from the field and just 5.9% from beyond the arc, connecting on one of 17 attempts. The Moundbuilders were outrebounded 41-32, with Cottey holding a 12-1 advantage in second-chance points.
For Cottey, James and Riley Essenpries each finished with 12 points, while James collected a game-high 11 rebounds.
The defeat came just eight days after Southwestern defeated Cottey 66-56 at Stewart Fieldhouse on Oct. 29, splitting the two regular-season meetings between the programs.
Southwestern (3-1) will return to action Friday, Nov. 13, when the Moundbuilders host Central Christian College of Kansas in a nonconference matchup at Stewart Fieldhouse in Winfield, Kan. Tipoff is scheduled for 5 p.m.
