HPU Wins Third Straight Title

Lady Jackets win fourth ASC Title in five years

Abram Choate, SID

ABILENE, Texas – The Howard Payne Lady Jackets defeat Hardin-Simmons University 72-65 in overtime to win their third straight ASC title Sunday afternoon in the 2009 American Southwest Conference Championship Tournament. HPU will find out their opponent, date and time they will play on Monday at 10:00 am in the NCAA III tournament selection show. It will be streamed on www.ncaa.com 

The game was back and forth in the first half and was tied up at 25-25 at the break. The Lady Jackets shot 46% from the field and Hardin-Simmons shot 31%. 

A Katy Sarem three-point play with 17:40 left gave HPU a 31-27 lead. Then Howard Payne extended their lead to 11-points on a Sarem three-point bucket, 38-17 with 16:00 remaining. The Lady Jacket lead was sparked by a 13-2 run to start the second half. 

After HPU leading by as much as 16-points, Hardin-Simmons rallied to cut it to 7, 47-40 with 11 minutes left. A HSU three-pointer with 8:02 left brought them to within 2, 49-47. The game was tied again at 54-54 with 4:19 to play. 

HSU led 60-58 on two Bo Warm free-throws with 1:11 left. HPU missed their shot attempt and got a HSU turnover on a tie-ball. Sarah Jockers was fouled and hit both her free-throws to tie the game at 60-60 with 9 seconds remaining. Hardin-Simmons shot attempt was no good and the game went to overtime. 

It was back and forth in overtime and with 45 seconds left Mionca Hall converted on a three-point play to give HPU a 67-68 lead. A HPU defensive stop and two Elaine Hobbs free-throws gave HPU a 69-65 lead with 30 seconds left. Katy Sarem added another free-throw, 70-65 HPU. The Lady Jackets held on and won their third straight ASC Title, 72-65 in overtime. It is HPU's fourth ASC title in five seasons. 

HSU was led by Lindsey Newcombe with 17 points and 21 rebounds. Mollie Brawber had 18 and Angela Newcombe added 12 points. 

Elaine Hobbs led the Lady Jackets with 18 points and was named to the All-Tournament team. Mionca Hall finished 15 points and Sarah Jockers and Katy Sarem each had 12 points. Sarem was also named to the All-Tournament team. Hope Hohertz was named the Tournament MVP and finished with 9 points and 10 rebounds. 

Howard Payne improves to 23-5 and receives the ASC's automatic bid to the NCAA III National Tournament. HPU will find out their opponent, date and time they will play on Monday at 10:00 am in the NCAA III tournament selection show. It will be streamed on www.ncaa.com 

2009 ASC Women's Basketball All-Tournament Team
Dominique Brown, McMurry - Senior Guard (Fairfield, TX)
Jessica Kelly, Mary Hardin-Baylor - Junior Guard (Hewitt, TX)
Lindsey Newcombe, Hardin-Simmons - Sophomore Center (Keller, TX)
Mollie Brawner, Hardin-Simmons - Senior Guard (New Braunfels, TX)
Katy Sarem, Howard Payne -- Sophomore Guard (Helotes, TX)
Elaine Hobbs, Howard Payne -- Junior Forward (Lorena, TX)
Hope Hohertz, Howard Payne -- Junior Forward (Priddy, TX)

MVP -- Hope Hohertz, Howard Payne -- Junior Forward (Priddy, TX)
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