RICHARDSON, Texas --The Howard Payne offense put on a ball-movement clinic on the road Thursday, recording 11 assists on 15 made shots, but the Yellow Jackets fell to the Texas-Dallas Comets 65-41.

Azaylee Santos led the Yellow Jackets (4-21) with four points, six rebounds and four assists. Caitlyn Panuco tacked on five points and six rebounds and Kiana Henning helped out with eight points and four assists.

The Howard Payne defense caused its share of mistakes in Thursday's game, forcing 17 Texas-Dallas turnovers. Those takeaways turned into five points on the other end of the floor. Madison Clay led the way individually for the Yellow Jackets with two steals.

How It Happened

Howard Payne struggled out of the gate, falling behind 21-9 at the end of the first quarter.

The Yellow Jackets continued to lose ground in the second quarter and faced a 35-14 halftime deficit.

Texas-Dallas continued to increase its lead after halftime, building a 51-24 advantage before Howard Payne went on a 5-0 run to trim its deficit to 51-29 with 39 seconds to go in the third, a score which remained until the end of the third quarter. Howard Payne knocked down two three-pointers in the quarter to score six of its 15 total points.

Howard Payne could not pull any closer in the fourth, losing by a final of 65-41. Howard Payne took advantage of its opportunities in the post, scoring eight of its 12 points in the paint.

Game Notes

» The Yellow Jackets put on a passing clinic, recording an assist on 73 percent of made field goals.
» The Howard Payne defense forced 17 turnovers.
» Kate Buchanan led the Yellow Jackets with nine points.
» Howard Payne got six rebounds from both Azaylee Santos and Caitlyn Panuco.

The Lady Jackets face off against UMHB this Saturday, February 22nd in Belton to wrap up conference play before the ASC Tournament held in Marshall, Texas (ETBU). Game time will be set for 1 PM.