ABILENE, Texas – The Howard Payne University women's basketball team used a second half surge to secured a 67-56 victory over Hardin-Simmons University Saturday afternoon at the Mabee Athletic Complex.

Howard Payne held Hardin-Simmons to just 32% second half shooting to secure the 67-56 conference victory. The Lady Jackets outscored the Cowgirls 21-12 in the third and 17-14 in the fourth.

The Lady Jackets used second chance opportunities and pushed the tempo outscoring Hardin-Simmons 14-2 in fast break points.

Valarie Matlock led all scorers with 17 points along with three assists. Anastansia Willis had 13 points and seven rebounds. Presley McKethan and Dominique Featherstone each had 12 points. Djimonii Jackson added seven points and a game high 10 rebounds off the bench.

Hardin-Simmons was led by Heidi Schroeder with 16 points followed by Taylor Gaffney and Danie Mabry with 11 points each.

Howard Payne is now 14-9 overall and 10-5 in American Southwest Conference play. Hardin-Simmons stands at 5-18 overall and 3-13 in league play. The Lady Jackets will finish out the regular season with two home games Thursday, Feb. 15th versus Concordia Texas at 5:30 pm and Saturday, Feb. 17th versus Mary Hardin-Baylor at 2:00 pm. Saturday, Feb. 17th will be senior day.