NATCHITOCHES, Louisiana – The Howard Payne University women's basketball team completed a thrilling 87-85 win over Louisiana College after Presley McKethan drained a bucket from distance in the final seconds of the game.
The Lady Jackets (8-6, 5-1 ASC) led by as many as 11 points with just under six minutes left to go in the final period of the game before the Wildcats (2-7, 2-3 ASC) made their comeback. Brooke Jones led the Louisiana College rally, scoring 15 of her 22 points during the second half before back-to-back buckets from Micah Cisneroz and McKethan gave Howard Payne the victory.
Sarahi Castillo led all players with 22 points while also pulling down 11 rebounds and blocking four shots. Castillo's 11 rebounds helped put her over the 500 rebound mark during her career, placing her 10th all-time among Howard Payne alumni. Presley McKethan finished with 19 points on 62% shooting from beyond the arc and Micah Cisneroz added 18 points in the win.
The two sides exchanged buckets to start the game before Louisiana College built a seven point lead with 1:55 remaining in the period. Presley McKethan buried one of her three crucial three-pointers in the final seconds to help Howard Payne recapture the 23-21 lead heading into the second period.
The Wildcats kept fighting and actually led by four points midway through the second period before the Lady Jackets took control of the game. They finished the third quarter up, 65-63 and built upon that lead to begin the fourth period, going up by 11 points with 5:56 left in the game.
Louisiana College clawed their way back and captured a one point lead with just over two minutes left in the game. Valarie Matlock found a streaking Micah Cisneroz in the paint for a layup to cut into the lead but the Lady Jackets still trailed by one with 12 second in the game. That's when Presley McKethan stepped up and drained the game winner as time expired to help deliver Howard Oayne their fifth ASC victory on the season.
Howard Payne will now head to Jackson, Mississippi to face Belhaven University on Thursday, January 5th at 5:30 PM. Fans can find live stats and video at HPUSports.com and follow along on Twitter, @HPUwbsk for in-game updates and more.
