MARSHALL, Texas – The Howard Payne University women's basketball team could not hold on as they lost to East Texas Baptist University 70-53 on the road in Marshall, Texas on Saturday, January 6^th.
 
HPU started off hot as they scored 20 points in the first quarter with nine of those coming off offensive rebounds. ETBU would put a stop to that as they kept the Lady Jackets off the glass in the second quarter, giving the Tigers a 33-30 lead heading into the break.
 
After a back and forth third quarter, ETBU maintained a three-point lead at the start of the last stanza. Howard Payne could not complete the comeback as they were held to only four points in the final ten minutes, losing by a final score of 70-53.
 
ETBU won the battle on the glass, outrebounding the Lady Jackets 45-36 which led to 18 second chance points for the Tigers. HPU was able to force 18 ETBU turnovers that resulted in 12 points.
 
The Lady Jackets shot 26.7% (16-60) from the field as they struggled from behind the arc as well, finishing 4-26. ETBU finished 38% (19-50) from the field while knocking down three treys.
 
Leading the charge for HPU was Aja Holmes with 14 points and seven rebounds. Following behind was Asia Mitchell scoring 13 points and Jazlyn Braithwaite scoring 11 of her own. Rounding out the double-digit scorers for the Lady Jackets was Taysie Trejo with ten points.
 
The Tigers were led by an 11-point, 13-rebound double-double from Tristan Smith followed by a 14-point performance from Ashlynn Galvin.
 
The Lady Jackets will look to bounce back from their three-game losing skid Saturday, January 13^th as they travel to Alpine, Texas to take on Sul Ross State. Tip-off is set for 1:00 PM.