Hardin-Simmons University shot 64% from the field and outscored Howard Payne University by 11 in the second half to upset the Lady Jackets 81-76 Saturday afternoon.
Howard Payne now stands at 20-5 overall and 16-5 in conference play. HPU will end the regular season tied for second in the ASC West Division with McMurry. Hardin-Simmons will finish fourth in the ASC West at 13-12 overall and 11-10 in conference play. The official ASC women’s basketball tournament bracket will be released by Sunday afternoon.
Howard Payne used 45% shooting in the first half to gain a 35-29 halftime advantage. Brittany Roberson, who finished with game high 24 point, scored 13 points in the first half.
Hardin-Simmons put together a run midway through the second half to tie the game at 54-54 with 9:53 left. HSU would take the lead on their next possession with a jumper in the lane. The lead changed hands several time the rest of the half.
Hardin-Simmons gained a 79-76 lead after two free-throws with 30 seconds left in the game. The Lady Jackets turned the ball over on their next possession and two more free-throws would secure the 81-76 upset win for Hardin-Simmons.
HSU was 26 of 28 (93%) from the free-throw line in the game and outrebounded the Lady Jackets 37-27.
Brittany Roberson added four assists to her game high 24 points for HPU. Roshonda Gayden had 12 points, eight rebounds and four steals. Dana Marrs, Kayla Scott and Tresta Donahoo each added nine points.
Jasmine Lewis had a team high 20 points for HSU. Angela Newcombe finished with 17 points and 11 rebounds. Alexis Popelar and Kara Looten each added 14 points.
The Lady Jackets next game will be in the opening round of the ASC tournament in Pineville, LA
A poor start by the Howard Payne University men’s basketball proves to be the difference as Hardin-Simmons University defeats the Yellow Jackets 82-70 in their season finale.
The Yellow Jackets finish the season at 9-16 overall and 7-14 conference. Hardin-Simmons now stands at 19-6 overall and 16-5 in conference.
Howard Payne found themselves down 20-7 at the 12:00 mark of the opening half. The Jackets would battle back to within four with a minute left outscoring HSU 11-4 in the closing minutes of the half.
Hardin-Simmons pushed their lead to 19 points with nine minutes remaining. The Jackets would make a late push and cut the Hardin-Simmons lead to nine, 66-57, with 3:02 left to play.
That was as close as the Jackets would get with Hardin-Simmons winning 82-70. The Jackets did outrebound Hardin-Simmons 53-48 but only shot 32% from the field in the game.
Brandon Irwin, who finishes his HPU career as the 7th leading scorer in HPU history, had 16 points and 11 rebounds.
Joshua Dada and Brandon Gould each had 15. Gould added four assists. Ja’Kalan finished with 11 points and a game high 12 rebounds.
Matt Addison scored a game high 33 points for Hardin-Simmons with eight rebounds. Derrick Jefferson added 10.
