RICHARDSON, Texas - The Howard Payne University women's basketball team fell 71-34 to the University of Texas at Dallas Thursday evening in their American Southwest Conference opener.

Bria Neal led the Lady Jackets with 14 points and was 6 of 7 from the free-throw line in the game. Elaina Buchanan was HPU's top rebounder with six.

Trailing 27-13 at the half, Howard Payne would give up 22 points in each of the final two quarters ending in the 71-34 final. 

The Lady Jackets shot just 21.1% from the field and committed 27 turnovers in the game. 

HPU's Asia Mitchell was 3 for 3 at the free-throw line as well as Lillian Small who was 4 of 4 from the charity stripe.

UT Dallas was led by Maggie Delascurain with a game-high 19 points.

Howard Payne is now 2-5 overall and 0-1 in American Southwest Conference play. UT Dallas stands at 3-3 overall and 1-0 in league action. The Lady Jackets will travel to Clarksville, AR on Saturday to take on the University of the Ozarks at 1:00 pm on Saturday.