ABILENE, Texas –  The Howard Payne women's basketball team held off a late surge by Hardin-Simmons University to claim the 76-62 conference victory Saturday at the Mabee Athletic Center

Howard Payne allowed just three field goals in the first half and held Hardin-Simmons to just 32% shooting for the game.

The Lady Jackets held the Cowgirls to just 13% shooting in the first half to lead 37-18 at the halftime break. The only thing that would keep HSU in the game was that the Cowgirls were 12 of 13 from the free-throw line in the opening period.

Hardin-Simmons chipped away at the HPU lead throughout the second half cutting it the 60-56 HPU with 4:40 remaining. Later, a HSU jumper with 2:50 left would bring the score to 64-62 HPU.

From that point, the Lady Jackets put the game away outscoring the Cowgirls 12-0 in the final 2:50.

Yessenia Cazares led with 17 points on 5 of 9 shooting from behind the arc. Sarah Van Remmen and Dominique Featherstone each had 13. Kalin Hanna had eight points, seven blocks and a career high 16 rebounds. Danyel Bradley had eight points and a game high six assists. Jessica Leaks scored 10 points in the first half off the bench.

HSU was led by Joanna Daniel with 17 points, Rachel Holik had 16 and Kayla finished with 10 and nine rebounds. HSU was 22 of 25 from the free-throw line in the game.

Howard Payne is now 10-8 overall and 7-6 in American Southwest Conference action. Hardin-Simmons stands at 9-10 overall and 7-7 in conference. Howard Payne will travel to Sul Ross State on Monday, February 2nd.