March 4, 2006

Final Stats

ABILENE, Texas - For the seventh time in the last eight years, the Hardin-Simmons women's basketball team is headed to the NCAA Sweet 16 as the Cowgirls eliminated conference foe Howard Payne, with a 73-64 win Saturday night at McMurry's Kimbrell Arena.

The Cowgirls never trailed in the game after hitting back-to-back 3-pointers to start the game from Shelby Hodges and Lyssa Dennard. The Cowgirls led by as many as 12 points in the first half and led 40-30 at the break.

In the second half, Hodges hit a 3-pointer on the first possession of the second half. The Cowgirls scored on the next trip to lead 45-30, but Howard Payne made their expected run. A 16-4 run cut the Cowgirl lead to 49-46, but the Lady Jackets would get no closer and the Cowgirls increased the lead back to as many as 11.

It was a total team effort for the Cowgirls. Sonya West led the way with 19 points and 14 rebounds, but four other Cowgirls were in double figures. Shelby Hodges scored 14 points, Melissa Henley had 12 points and Rachael Singletary and Lyssa Dennard each had 10 points.

The biggest factor in the game was the defensive effort the Cowgirls put on HPU superstar Meia Daniels. She led the Lady Jackets with 23 points, but was just 9-for28 from the floor. The Cowgirls used several players on her including: Dennard, Shanika Conaway, Sonya West and Laci Walker.

The Cowgirls will find out where they will play Pacific Lutheran on Sunday. The Lutes advanced with a 62-50 win over Puget Sound.

HSU is now 22-5 on the year and Howard Payne ends its season with a 24-5 record.