BROWNWOOD, Texas - Howard Payne University's Jessica Leaks connected on a late three-point basket to give the Lady Jackets a 66-65 decision over McMurry University Saturday at the Brownwood Coliseum.

Down 65-63 with ten seconds remaining, Micah Cisneroz found Jessica Leaks in the corner for a three-pointer with six seconds left to play. Then with the Lady Jackets leading, 66-65, McMurry's layup to win at the buzzer failed giving Howard Payne the one point victory.

The Lady Jackets trailed by three, 65-63 with 1:22 left to play. Presley McKethan would hit one of two free-throws to pull HPU within two with just under a minute to play.

Howard Payne fouled a couple of times to force McMurry to the free-throw line and with 10 seconds left McMurry's Sham Hunter missed two free-throws giving the Lady Jackets the opportunity to tie or win the game.

Danyel Bradley had a team high 22 points and eight rebounds for the Lady Jackets. She also dished out a game high five assists. Presley McKethan and Micah Cisneroz each had 12 points and three assists. With the game winner, Jessica Leaks finished with 11 points on 4-of-8 shooting, 2-of-4 from behind the arc.

McMurry's Taylor Russell scored a game high 26 points on a 10-for-19 shooting and a perfect 6-of-6 from the free throw line. She was also credited with 10 rebounds. Chelsie Lail had 12 points. Sham Hunter finished with 10 rebounds.

Both teams shot well from the field. The Lady Jackets were 25-of-59, good for 42.4 percent, McMurry was 26-of-61 for nearly 43 percent.  HPU held a slight rebounding edge, 38-35.

Howard Payne improves to 8-8 overall and McMurry falls to 4-12 on the year. The Lady Jackets will be on the road next week, at Mary Hardin-Baylor on Thursday at 5:30 pm and Concordia Texas on Saturday at 1:00 pm.
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