Feb. 11, 2006

Final Stats

ABILENE, Texas - Hardin-Simmons' women's basketball team had its 13-game winning streak snapped by Howard Payne as the Cowgirls missed two short shots inside three seconds en route to a 66-64 loss in American Southwest Conference West Division action at the Mabee Complex.

The Lady Jackets came out in the first half and hit seven 3-pointers and led by as many as 10 points at 27-17, but the Cowgirls battled back and took a 34-30 lead with a 17-3 run. Howard Payne scored the last four points off the first half to take a 37-36 halftime lead.

In the second half, the Jackets again jumped out to a double digit lead and led 60-48 with 10:15 to play, but the Cowgirls responded again and tied the game at 64 with 2:38 to play. Both team had several chances to score in the final 2:38, but only a pair of Kim Hoffman free throws found the net. The decisive shots came at the 1:02 mark.

HSU had a turnover and then a Melissa Henley block forced the Lady Jackets into a shot clock violation to give the Cowgirls the ball with 7.9 seconds to play. Lyssa Dennard took the inbounds and drove to about eight feet and her pullup was just short, Sonya West got the rebound but her shot was off at the buzzer. Dennard had beat the Lady Jackets with a buzzer-beater last season at the Mabee Complex.

Melissa Henley led the Cowgirls with 17 points. West added 15 points and 10 rebounds. Rachel Cisneroz played well in her first career start after the knee injury to Sarah Hauk. Cisneroz had eight assists and six points. Meia Daniels proved why she is probably the MVP of the ASC West with 23 points and nine rebounds. She buried five 3-pointers in the game.

The win was the first for the Jackets at HSU since 1996. Hardin-Simmons fell to 19-3 overall and 17-3 in conference play. Howard Payne improved to 19-3 overall and 16-3 in conference action.