ABILENE, Texas – The Howard Payne University women's basketball team fell to conference opponent, Hardin Simmons University 67-48 Monday evening.
 
Despite starting off with a 5-0 run, Howard Payne was plagued by poor shooting most of the evening. An eight-point second quarter with a field goal percentage of 11% by Howard Payne gave Hardin Simmons the 13-point edge heading into the second half.
 
The Lady Jackets got back within 10 towards the end of the third quarter but, were unable to catch the cowgirls, dropping the conference game 67-48.
 
The Lady Jacket defense forced the Cowgirls to turn the ball over 19 times. Bria Neal led HPU with 16 points and eight rebounds followed by Lily Janek with 13 points, nine rebounds, and three steals.
 
Hardin Simmons was led by Brittany Schnabel with 18 points followed by Samantha Tatum with 13. Kaitlyn Ellis led the Cowgirls in rebounds with 12.
 
With the four-game winning streak ending, the Lady Jackets fall to 7-5 overall and 4-2 in the American Southwest Conference. Hardin Simmons won their eighth straight game to improve to 13-3 overall and 8-2 in the ASC. The Lady Jackets will take on Sul Ross State in Alpine Texas on Thursday Feb. 25^th at 5:30 pm.