TYLER, Texas – The Howard Payne University women's basketball team used constant full court pressure to claim an 80-73 victory over the University of Texas at Dallas in the opening round of the 2016 American Southwest Conference tournament.

Press Conference - Meia Daniels and Micah Cisneroz

Despite a slow start and being outrebounded 48-37 by Texas-Dallas, Howard Payne would force 28 turnovers to knock out the ASC defending champion 80-73 in the opening round.

The Lady Jackets would shoot just 19% from the field in the first quarter to trail 15-8 to the Comets. HPU began to get things together and pulled to within two, 27-25 with 1:50 left in the first half. UT-Dallas led 34-29 at the break.

Howard Payne made a push in the third to take a three point advantage, 41-38 with 7:12 left in the quarter. After UT-Dallas regained the lead, the Lady Jackets battled and a Danyel Bradley long two at the end of the third gave HPU a 56-52 lead.

With 7:15 left in the game, a Jessica Leaks three-pointer sparked a Lady Jacket 9-0 run giving HPU a 67-58 advantage. The HPU defense would not allow Texas-Dallas (14-12) to get closer than five the remainder of the game.

Howard Payne was led by Danyel Bradley and Micah Cisneroz with 16 points each. Bradley added a game high eight assists and seven steals. Sarahi Castillo and Kristin Cunningham each added 10 points.

UT-Dallas was led by Micaela Gonzalez with a game high 28 points and 13 rebounds. Kendall Festervand had 13 points, Jasmine Lopez followed with 11.

Howard Payne (17-9) will play LeTourneau University in round two of the ASC Championship tournament tomorrow (Friday) at 5:00 pm.