TYLER, Texas – The season ended for the Howard Payne University women's basketball team with a 77-70 loss to the University of Texas at Tyler in the American Southwest Conference championship game Saturday afternoon.

Howard Payne's Danyel Bradley and Sarahi Castillo were named to the All-Tournament Team.

A Jessica Leaks jumper with 1:26 remaining brought the Lady Jackets to within one, 71-70. HPU would not be able to put the ball in the bucket in the final minute going 0-of-5 to end the game.

Shooting woes Lady Jackets in the fourth quarter allowed UT-Tyler to outscore Howard Payne 23-12 in the final period. That combined with UT-Tyler going to the free-throw line 17 more times than Howard Payne proved to be the difference in the game.

Howard Payne started the game strong shooting 48% from the field to lead 26-17 at the end of the first quarter and 42-36 at the half. HPU would lead by as much as 12 in the second quarter on a three-pointer by Micah Cisneroz with 9:26 remaining before the half.

With HPU leading 58-54 going into the fourth quarter, UT-Tyler outscored HPU 23-12 in the final period shooting 48% from the field while holding HPU to 35% shooting for the half.

Danyel Bradley finished with a team high 22 points, 10 rebounds and six assists. Valarie Matlock added 13 points and Jessica Leaks had nine points. Seniors Sarahi Castillo had eight points, Micah Cisneroz had three and Yessenia Cazares had two.

UT-Tyler was led by Michelle Obach with 26 points. Alex Kochner, Re'Elle Miller and Shuntay Raglin each had 12 points.

Howard Payne finishes the season at 18-10 overall and UT-Tyler stands at 27-1 on the year.

2016 ASC Women's Basketball All-Tournament Team
Crystal Jones, LeTourneau
April Leonard, East Texas Baptist
Danyel Bradley, Howard Payne
Sarahi Castillo, Howard Payne
Alex Kochner, Texas-Tyler
D'Onna Matthews, Texas-Tyler
Michelle Obach, Texas-Tyler (MVP)