LONGVIEW, Texas --The Howard Payne women's basketball team came up short in a 72-60 loss to the LeTourneau Yellow Jackets on the road Thursday.

The Yellow Jackets (4-13, 0-1) had four players score in double figures, led by Madison Clay, who had 17 points, six rebounds and two steals. Caitlyn Panuco added 14 points and Kiana Henning helped out with 13 points, six rebounds and two steals.

The Howard Payne defense was effective at taking away the basketball in Thursday's game, forcing 18 LeTourneau turnovers. Those takeaways turned into 14 points on the other end of the floor. Tatum Walker led the way individually for the Yellow Jackets with two steals.

How It Happened

Howard Payne kept it close in the first quarter, but entered the second frame down 13-11.

The Yellow Jackets continued to lose ground in the second quarter and faced a 35-22 halftime deficit.

LeTourneau continued to increase its lead after halftime, building a 48-32 advantage before Howard Payne went on a 6-0 run, punctuated by a basket from Henning, to trim its deficit to 48-38 with zero seconds to go in the third, a score which remained until the end of the third quarter. Howard Payne played well near the basket, scoring eight of its 16 points in the paint.

Howard Payne came out of the third quarter break clicking on all cylinders, going on a 7-0 run, finished off by Henning's layup, to shrink the deficit to 48-45 with 5:45 to go in the contest. LeTourneau responded and outscored the Yellow Jackets the rest of the way, ending the game with a final score of 72-60. Howard Payne got up and down the court quickly in the quarter, scoring five fast break points.

Game Notes

» The Howard Payne defense forced 18 turnovers.
» Madison Clay led the Yellow Jackets with 17 points.
» Howard Payne got a team-high seven rebounds from Tatum Walker.

Howard Payne will face off against East Texas Baptist this Saturday at 1 P.M.