BROWNWOOD, Texas – Howard Payne University's Salina Ali had a career night and led the Lady Jacket women's basketball team to an 84-71 victory against Concordia University Texas on Thursday night in the Brownwood Coliseum.
 
Salina Ali posted a new career high with 24 points on 7 of 7 shooting. She also contributed five steals, four assists, and three rebounds while going 4 for 4 from the three-point line and 6 for 6 at the free-throw line in the game.
 
The first half was a close battle between the Lady Jacket and the Tornadoes with Howard Payne trailing Concordia 36-34 at the half.
 
Howard Payne outscored CTX 16-13 in the third to take a one-point lead heading into the final quarter. Amanda Turpin started the period off right by hitting a quick three for the Lady Jackets to begin the fourth quarter.
 
Howard Payne used 64.2% shooting in the fourth to pull away building a 10-point lead with four minutes left in the game. The Tornadoes were unable to catch back up and the Lady Jackets secured the 15-point victory.
 
HPU finished the game shooting 43.9% from the field (25-57) and 42.9% (9-21) from the three-point line. The Yellow Jacket defense held the Tornadoes to 40% (22-55) from the field and forced 25 turnovers.
 
Following Salina Ali's 24 points was Chelsey Harris with 16. Harris also had a team high eight rebounds. Amanda Turpin had 14 points sparked by 4 of 6 three-point shooting.  Bria Neal rounded out the top performers with 12 points and six rebounds.
 
Concordia was led by Madi Maxwell with 12 points and a team high eight rebounds followed by Allie Garza with 12 points.
 
The Lady Jackets move to 5-4 overall and 2-1 in the American Southwest Conference. The Tornadoes fall to 2-3 overall and 2-3 in the ASC. The Lady Jackets will take on the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor on Saturday Feb. 6^th in the Brownwood Coliseum at 5:00 pm.