HPU Defeats McMurry On A Layup With Just Seconds Remaining

Sarah Pfiester (#44) came off the bench and grabbed a game-high seven rebounds

Abram Choate, SID

ABILENE, Texas – The Howard Payne Lady Jackets got another last second basket to defeat McMurry University 53-51 in the semifinal round of the 2009 American Southwest Conference Women's Basketball Championship Tournament. Howard Payne will play Hardin-Simmons University in the ASC Championship Game on Sunday at 2:00 pm. 

It was a defensive battle to start the game and McMurry held an 8-12 advantage with 9:13 left in the first half. A Mionca Hall layup with 4:32 left in the half brought HPU to within 1, 17-18. McMurry extended their lead to 7, leading 22-29 at the half. 

McMurry shot 42% from the floor in the first half while HPU shot 28%. McMurry out-rebounded Howard Payne 22-12 in the half. 

It remained about a seven point McMurry advantage for the first ten minutes of the second half. The Lady Jackets made a run and took the lead for the first time in the game at 42-41 on two free-throws by Mionca Hall with 7:24 left in the game. Both teams traded baskets for the next six minutes. 

It was tied 51-51 with one minute remaining and McMurry basketball. The McMurry three-point attempt was no good and HPU had the ball with a chance to win with 22 seconds left in regulation. The Lady Jackets ran a play for Hope Hohertz and she made the layup with just 4.1 seconds left on the clock. McMurry's attempt was no good and the Lady Jackets won 53-51. 

Both teams shot 35% from the field in the game and HPU led McM at the free-throw line 79% (15 of 19) to 65% (13 of 20). 

McMurry was led by Breana Anderson-Burton with 11 points and 6 rebounds. Dominique Brown added 10 points. 

Hope Hohertz led the Lady Jackets again with 12 points and 6 rebounds. Katy Sarem had 10 and Brittany Zamora came off the bench to score 9. Sarah Pfiester played great defensively off the bench with a game-high 7 rebounds. 

Howard Payne improves to 22-5 overall and McMurry ends their season at 21-6. 

Howard Payne will play Hardin-Simmons in the ASC Championship game on Sunday at 2:00 pm.
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