BROWNWOOD, Texas - The Howard Payne University women's basketball team dropped a 78-54 conference game to #25 University of Texas at Dallas Saturday afternoon in Brownwood Coliseum.

With a strong second half from Howard Payne, the Lady Jackets were unable to overcome a 44-20 halftime deficit to UT Dallas in the 78-54 final.

Howard Payne connected on 14 of 15 free-throws in the second half and outscored the Comets 13-8 in the fourth quarter. But the Lady Jackets would struggle from the perimeter connecting on just 3 of 24 three-pointers in the game.

UT Dallas held a 53-30 rebounding advantage in the game and Howard Payne forced 17 Comet turnovers while committing 16 themselves.

Howard Payne was led by Chelsey Harris with 17 points followed by Caitlyn Ward with eight and Salina Ali with seven points.

Victoria Pena led UTD with 21 points, seven rebounds and six steals. Raenett Hughes followed with 18 points.

Howard Payne is now 7-11 overall and 3-6 in American Southwest Conference action. UTD stands at 14-4 overall and 8-1 in league play. The Lady Jackets will play next on the road at Sul Ross State in Alpine, Texas on Feb. 1st at 1:00 pm.