PINEVILLE, LA - The Howard Payne University women's basketball team finished with four players double digits in scoring to claim an 81-71 conference victory over Louisiana College Saturday afternoon.

Despite being out rebounded 61-41 by the Wildcats, Howard Payne took advantage of poor Louisiana College shooting (34%) and forced 20 Wildcats turnovers to control the game.

Closing out the first quarter with an 11-2 run to take the lead, the Lady Jackets then used a 21-12 second quarter to open up a 44-31 halftime lead.

Presley McKethan led HPU with a season high 19 points on 5 of 9 shooting, 3 of 6 from behind the arc. McKethan also had four assists and three steals. Caprica Brooks finished with 13 points sparked by 3 of 5 shooting from long range along with a team high nine rebounds. Chelsey Harris had 12 points and Valarie Matlock added 10 points and four assists.

Louisiana College was led by Janae Smith, Brooks Jones, and Jonika Walton with 12 points each, Walton also had a game high 16 rebounds.

Howard Payne is now 6-5 overall and 3-1 in American Southwest Conference play, LC falls to 6-3 overall and 2-2 in league action. The Lady Jackets will play on Monday in Tyler, Texas versus Whitworth University in a neutral site game starting at 2:00 pm. The game will be hosted by the University of Texas at Tyler.