Abram Choate, SID
TYLER, Texas – The 2nd-ranked Howard Payne Lady Jackets claim their 3rd American Southwest Conference title in four years with a 77-55 victory over McMurry University in the Herrington Patriot Center
Howard Payne jumped out to an early 12-2 lead five minutes into the game. A Mionca Hall layup with 10:06 in the first gave the Lady Jackets a 28-12 lead.
McMurry was able to cut the HPU lead to 30-22 on a 3-pointer by Amanda Peters with 4:45 left in the first. The Lady Jackets held on for the 38-30 halftime advantage.
The Lady Jackets extended their lead to 11, 47-36 on a free-throw by Elaine Hobbs with 14:30 left in the game. With 6:45 to play Howard Payne built their lead to 65-50. Howard Payne went on to post the 77-55 win in the ASC championship game.
Howard Payne shot 63% from the field in the second half and 53% for the game. McMurry shot 43% from the field and was outrebounded by HPU 41-27 in the game.
Howard Payne was led by Hope Hohertz with a career high 18 points and a game high 9 rebounds. Kim Hoffman and Meia Daniels added 14 points each. Stacey Blalock followed with 13 points. Kim Hoffman and Stacey Blalock were named to the All-Tournament team with Meia Daniels being named the tournament MVP.
Tarra Richardson led McMurry with 22 points and was named to the All-Tournament team. Maigen Sawyer followed with 11 and was also named to the All-Tournament team.
Howard Payne improves to 28-0 on the season and will wait till Monday morning to find out the opponent and location of their first round NCAA tournament game.
