BROWNWOOD, Texas – The Howard Payne University women's basketball team could not overcome a double-digit halftime deficit in an 81-58 conference loss to McMurry University Saturday afternoon at the Brownwood Coliseum.

The Lady Jackets were led by Bria Neal's game-high 21 points along with eight rebounds. Neal was 6 of 9 from the field and 8 of 9 from the free-throw line.

Trynadee Greenwell and Asia Mitchell each added 10 points for HPU. Mitchell had a game-high 10 rebounds and Greenwell had four assists.

McMurry jumped out to an early lead and outscored Howard Payne by 22 points in the first half on 47% shooting.

Down 41-19 at the break, the Lady Jacket would outscore the War Hawks by two, 20-18 in the third. 27 HPU turnovers caught up to the Lady Jackets and McMurry claimed the game 81-58.

McMurry was led by Emily Holland with 17 points followed by Taya Bridges with 14 points and five assists. Three other War Hawks were in double digits.

Howard Payne is now 2-8 overall and 0-4 in American Southwest Conference action. McMurry stands at 7-2 on the year, 2-2 in league play. The Lady Jackets will play next week on the road at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor in Belton, Texas on Thursday at 5:30 pm.