ABILENE, Texas - The Howard Payne University women's basketball team claimed its fifth straight victory 85-75 over McMurry University Thursday evening in conference action.

Howard Payne's Salina Ali led the Lady Jackets with a game high 20 points on 6 of 7 shooting from the field and 9 of 10 shooting from the free-throw line. Ali also had a game high four assists and five steals.

Building as much as a 19 point lead in the second half, the Lady Jackets were not outscored in any quarter in the game. HPU used over 50% shooting from the field in the second half to post the 85-75 victory.

Lily Janek, Bria Neal and Amanda Turpin each finished with 13 points for the Lady Jackets. Janek and Turpin had three 3-point buckets each. Chelsey Harris grabbed a team high seven rebounds. Kayla Brigance added six rebounds and two blocks off the bench for HPU.

McMurry was led by Aubrey Guerra with 20 points and 11 rebounds.

Howard Payne now stands at 7-4 overall and 4-1 in American Southwest Conference action, McMurry falls to 0-13 overall and 0-9 in league play. The Lady Jackets will play next on Saturday at Hardin-Simmons in a battle between the top two teams in the ASC West Division. It will be a 4:00 pm start time.