jacketbasketball_logoThe Howard Payne University women’s basketball team held McMurry University to just 26% shooting and won big 73-55 Thursday evening in Brownwood. With the win, a victory over Hardin-Simmons University on this Saturday will allow HPU to host the American Southwest Conference Tournament the next weekend.

The Lady Jackets started the game off shaky, falling behind 4-13 early on. From there they were able to pull even at 22 with 5:36 left in the half. Once the game was tied, the Lady Jackets went on a 13-6 run fueled by hot three-point shooting from Tiffany Warner to give them the lead at the half, 35-28.

In the second it was more of the same, as HPU came out and outscored McMurry 23 to 13 in the first 12 minutes giving them a dominant 17 point lead, 58-41.

The Lady Jackets would lead by as much as 21 points before the game ended, knocking down 45 percent (26 of 58) of their shots.

Warner led all scorers with 14 points, going 4 of 7 from behind the arc. Brittany Roberson trailed her with 12 points, eight assists, and five rebounds. Kalin Hanna ended with a great all-around game of six points, eight rebounds, and two blocks.

McMurry’s lead scorer was Andi Lukaszewski with 11 points. Keisha Collins had 10 points and seven rebounds.

Rebounding was about even, McMurry had 46 to the Lady Jackets 45. Where HPU had the edge was with 18 assists to McMurry’s eight.

The Lady Jackets go to 17-7 overall on the season, and 14-6 in the ASC. McMurry falls to 15-9 overall and 13-7 in conference.

The Lady Jackets wrap up their regular season at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, February 19th at the Brownwood Coliseum against Hardin-Simmons University. The winner will host this year’s ASC Championship Tournament.