HPU storms past the Eagles of University of Ozarks

Abram Choate, SID

CLINTON, Miss. — The No. 18 Howard Payne Lady Jackets wrapped up a spot in the American Southwest Conference Championship Tournament semifinals with a resounding 77-58 win over the University of the Ozarks Lady Eagles Friday night.

The victory was the 12th straight for the Lady Jackets, extending their school record streak. HPU (23-3) will face Mary Hardin-Baylor (10-16) today at 3 p.m. in semifinal action after UMHB upset No. 22 Hardin-Simmons, 83-80, Friday.

Meia Daniels scored 28 points, including 20 in the first half, to pace the Lady Jackets. She also finished with a team-high 12 of HPU's 50 rebounds.

Jenny Janda chipped in with 11 points while Heather Hohertz added 10 for HPU, which shot 47 percent (26-of-55) from the floor.

HPU also hit 70 percent of its three-point tries (7-of-10), including 5-of-7 in the first half. But the Lady Jackets shot a dreadful 43 percent (18-of-42) from the charity stripe, which prevented them from pulling away in the second half.

The Lady Eagles shot 28 percent (19-of-69), but converted 77 percent (17-of-22) of their free throws.

Ozarks used an 8-0 run to grab a 13-11 lead with 12:44 left in the first half, but HPU responded with 19 of the next 24 points over the next 6:23.

With the Lady Jackets ahead 24-18, Hohertz drained back-to-back three-pointers to give HPU its first double digit lead, 30-18, at the 6:21 mark of the first half.

The Lady Jackets boosted the lead up to 15 points, where it remained until Janda's three-pointer made the score 49-31 prior to halftime.

Jennifer Wallenmeyer, who added eight points off the bench, gave HPU its first 20-point lead, 62-42, with 11:46 left.

HPU's advantage peaked at 24 points, 70-46, when Daniels converted her final bucket of the night with 6:42 left
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