BEAUMONT, Texas – After leading at the end of the first quarter, the Howard Payne University women's basketball team would go on to lose 88-50 to D-I Lamar University Wednesday evening at the Montagne Center.

Lead by 2-for-4 shooting from behind the arc by Yessenia Cazares and Kristin Cunningham, the Lady Jackets led 21-18 at the end of the first quarter. But Lamar would outscore the Lady Jackets 20-9 in the second to lead 38-30 at the half.

Lamar continued a run starting at the end of the first half and added 14 more to lead 52-30 with 5:15 on the clock in the third. Cunningham would hit a three for HPU with just under five minutes left in the 3rd to break the drought for the Lady Jackets.

Howard Payne was outrebounded 64-32 by Lamar. The Lady Jackets were 5-for-5 from the free-throw line in the game and Lamar was 17-for-23. The Cardinals shot 52% from the field in the second half and 41% for the game.

Danyel Bradley led HPU with 16 points and a game high five assists along with four steals. Kristin Cunningham followed with 11 points on 3-for-5 shooting from behind the arc. Sarahi Castillo grabbed a team high seven rebounds.

Lamar was led by JaMeisha Edwards with a game high 17 points. Laka Blache added 14 points and 17 rebounds. Chastadie Barrs had 14 points and seven steals, Addesha Collins had 13 points and Kiara Desamours added 11.

Howard Payne is now 3-7 overall and Lamar stands at 4-7 on the year. The Lady Jackets will play next on January 2nd at the University of Texas at Dallas. It will be a 1:00 pm start time.
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