Abram Choate, SID

BELTON, Texas – The Lady Jackets outscored the Lady Cru of the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor by 11 in the second half to win 63-55 at the Mayburn Center in Belton on Saturday.

UMHB jumped out to an early 8-0 lead, but the Lady Jackets fought back to within 3 on a 3-pointer by Jr. G Molly Buker(Edgewood HS) to make in 10-7 UMHB. It stayed close through the 9 minute mark till HPU went on a 7-0 run to make the score 27-22 HPU. The Lady Cru then hit to consecutive 3-pointers to take the lead again 28-27 UMHB with 6 minutes before halftime. The lead changed a few times before UMHB took a 37-34 lead into the locker room.

HPU tied the game at 41-41 on a 3-pointer by So. G Meia Daniels(Fossil Ridge HS) at the 16:30 mark in the second half. A steal by Molly Buker and the lay-up made the score 48-47 HPU at 12:20 to play. The Lady Jackets slowly extended their lead to 6 on a free-throw by Meia Daniels to make it 61-55 HPU with less than 3 minutes to play. HPU held on from there to take the game 63-55. Howard Payne held UMHB to 18 points in the second half.

Leading stats for Howard Payne, Meia Daniels had a game high 26 points, with 8 rebounds, 3 steals, and 3 blocks. Jr. F Kim Hoffman(Bloomington HS) had a team high 9 rebounds, and Molly Buker had a game high 8 assists.

For UMHB, Jessica Wursbach had 16 points and a game high 15 rebounds. Shannon Barnes also had 10 points with 9 rebounds.

HPU will be back at home on Thursday against Concordia University at Austin at 5:30 pm in the Brownwood Coliseum.