Abram Choate, SID

TYLER, Texas - The Howard Payne women's basketball team defeated the Hardin-Simmons Cowgirls 83-67 in the semifinals of the American Southwest Conference Tournament in Tyler on Saturday afternoon.

The Lady Jackets and Cowgirls squared off toe-to-toe in the first half with HSU trailing 33-32 with :45 to play, but HPU All-American Meia Daniels hit a 3-pointer with :25 to play in the half and then got a steal and was fouled and hit two free throws to give HPU a 38-32 halftime lead.

Newcombe had 18 of her points in the first half for the Cowgirls. She also had 12 rebounds. Shelby Hodges had 11 points and nine rebounds.

HSU trailed 52-46 with 12:45 to play, but HPU pulled away with an 8-2 run to make it 60-48 and the Lady Jackets were able to hold on down the stretch.

HPU was led by its talented trio of seniors. Meia Daniels had 26 points, Kim Hoffman had 23 points and Stacey Blalock had 18.

The Cowgirls fell to 21-6 on the year and HPU improved to 27-0. HPU will play McMurry in the finals of the tournament on Sunday at 2:00 PM.