Abram Choate, SID

BROWNWOOD, TX – The Lady Jackets forced 31 turnovers and grabbed 18 steals to defeat the visiting University of Texas at Dallas Comets 74-55 on Thursday in the Brownwood Coliseum.

HPU was led by another stellar game by So. G Meia Daniels(Fossil Ridge HS) as she scored 26 and grabbed 10 rebounds. So. C Stacey Blalock(Magnolia HS) also contributed to HPU's offensive output and scored a career high 22.

HPU jumped out to a small lead at 16:58 in the first on a 3-pointer by Meia Daniels to make it 10-5 HPU. The Comets tied it at 13-13 all on jumper by Danielle Barnett with 12:28 left in the first. UTD's man-to-man defensive and hot shooting from the floor (57.9%) kept the score close in the first half, but HPU took a 30-27 lead going into the lockeroom at halftime. The Lady Jackets forcing 18 first half turnovers and 11 steals played a key role in the 3 point halftime lead.

At the start of the second HPU increased its lead to 6 on a jumper by Stacey Blalock at 18:48. UTD made an 8-2 run to tie the score at 35-35. From the 11:00 minute mark on it was all HPU as the Lady Jackets went on an 22-6 run that lasted 6 minutes to make the score 63-46 with 4:03 left to play. After that run UTD came as close as 12 with 3:06 left, but HPU shut the door from there and posted the victory 74-55.

Leading scorers for HPU were Meia Daniels with 26 points, 10 rebounds, 6 assists, and 4 steals. Stacey Blalock had a career high 22 points and also had 5 rebounds. Jr G Heather Hoherts(Priddy HS) also scored 14 on the night.

UTD's leading scorers were Gigi Graugnard with 16, Cassi Little with 13, and Danielle Barnett with 10.

The Lady Jacket play again on Saturday, January 7, 2006 at home verses University of Texas at Tyler at 1:00 pm.