Abram Choate, SID

ABILENE, Texas – The Howard Payne Lady Jackets jumped out to an early on their way to a 72-60 win over the Hardin-Simmons Cowgirls Saturday at the Mabee Complex.

Howard Payne shot 46.8% from the field while holding Hardin-Simmons to 36.5%. HSU's bench outscored HPU's 24-7 in the game.

The Lady Jackets with great defensive effort jumped out to a 12-2 lead. Howard Payne pressed on and led at the half 40-23. Meia Daniels had 6 steals and Stacey Blalock had 15 points in the first half. Hardin-Simmons did outrebound HPU 19 to 18 in the first.

In the second, Hardin-Simmons' full-court pressure allowed they to battled back to within 10 at 51-41 with 10:52 to play. HSU's Mollie Brawner off the bench scored 8 straight Cowgirl points to lead them back to within 7, 51-44.

Great three-point by Hardin-Simmons keeps them close, but down the stretch HPU's Meia Daniels hits to big three pointers to secure the HPU 72-60 victory.

HPU's Stacey Blalock led all scorers with 24 points. Meia Daniels finished with 15 points and 7 steals. Kim Hoffman added 17 points and 7 rebounds.

HSU was led by Mollie Brawner off the bench with 15. Lindsey Newcombe and Bo Warm both finished with 13 points. Newcombe added a game high 12 rebounds.

The Lady Jackets improve to 21-0 overall and 17-0 in the ASC, while HSU falls to 16-5 overall and 13-4 in ASC play.