SAN ANTONIO, Texas – The Howard Payne University's women's basketball team lost 72-58 against Trinity University Sunday afternoon at the Sams Gymnasium.  

Micah Cisneroz led all players with 21 points while also adding 12 rebounds, three assists and three blocks. Sophomore Valerie Matlock pitched in 14 points, six rebounds and Sarahi Castillo had 12 points and seven rebounds in the loss. 

The Tigers (4-0) held the Yellow Jackets (2-4) scoreless on 0-8 shooting to start the game while building a seven-point lead. Howard Payne didn't receive a field goal until Valerie Matlock sunk a three with just over six minutes left to play to pull within two points, 7-5. 

The Lady Jackets pulled to a 15-15 tie with Trinity to end the first quarter after Micah Cisneroz drained a three from beyond the arc. Cisneroz's hot shooting continued into the second period as she opened up play with another three-point attempt to give HPU the 18-15 lead. 

Howard Payne shooting woes would continue and they ended the half shooting just 22% while trailing 36-25. Trinity would extend on their lead in the second half, leading by as much as 14 before the Lady Jackets went on a run.
 
A couple of fast break points from Valerie Matlock and some key rebounds and put-backs from Sarahi Castillo, and Howard Payne pulled within three, 43-40 with 3:17 left to go in the quarter. 

The two teams traded buckets the rest of the period before Trinity was able to knock down their outside shots with consistency and build on their lead. 

At one point in the fourth quarter, the Tigers held a 14 point lead over the Yellow Jackets and finished the second half shooting 71% from three to collect their fourth straight victory of the season, 72-58 over the Howard Payne Yellow Jackets. 

The Jackets return home to play at the Brownwood Coliseum in their 2016-2017 home opener vs. Southwestern University. Tip-off is slated for Tuesday, November 29th at 5:30 p.m. It's the first of three straight home appearances for Howard Payne and tickets are free for students.  

Tickets are $3 for Adults, $2 for Senior Citizens and $1 kids ages 12-18 (Kids under 12 – Free.) If you can't make it out to see the Howard Payne basketball, visit HPUSports.com for live stats and video and follow along on Twitter @HPUWbsk for in-game updates and more.