AUSTIN, Texas – The Howard Payne University women's basketball team clinched the 2016-2017 ASC-West Division title with an 82-65 victory at Concordia on Thursday evening.
Sophomore
Alexandria Davis recorded the first double-double of her career, finishing with career highs in points (20) and rebounds (13) to help lead the Lady Jackets to their fourth straight win.
Sarahi Castillo added 20 points, six rebounds, and two blocks and Valerie Matlock had 16 points on 8-10 shooting, seven steals, and five assists in the contest.
Howard Payne got off to a slow start to begin the game as the first period sustained long scoring droughts from both sides. The Lady Jackets were held scoreless for nearly seven minutes and fell behind by eight points before rallying to close the period down 12-7.
Alexandria Davis checked into the game and sunk her first shot attempt to begin the second period. After
Sarahi Castillo followed up with a shot from range, Howard Payne had tied it back up at 12-12 early. Valerie Matlock would go on to knock down a jumper with 2:10 left in the period to help the Lady Jackets pull away with their largest lead (7 points) of the game.
They would finish the half with a 33-24 lead after Davis picked up a bucket in the paint and converted at the free throw line on the point after attempt. After scoring just seven points in the first period, the Howard Payne offense went off for 26 points in the second quarter to take control of the contest.
The Lady Jackets would never trail again and came out of halftime and proceeded to shoot the ball successfully from the outside. The Tornado's fought tough through the third period but for every run they made, Howard Payne seemed to have an answer. When Valerie Matlock converted on two consecutive layups to end the period, the lead was set at 57-43.
The fourth period saw the Lady Jackets dig in and extend their lead to 19 after
Dominique Featherstone drained a three to help seal the 82-65 victory. Howard Payne finished the contest with advantages in offensive rebounds, 17-8 and total rebounds, 39-30. They also collected 14 steals and 17 turnovers which helped lead to 21 second-chance points.
With the win, Howard Payne has sealed the 2017 ASC-West division title and will also play host to the 2017 ASC Championship at the Brownwood Coliseum beginning on February 23rd. The Lady Jackets will finish the regular season with road contests at University Mary Hardin-Baylor and Sul Ross State.
