Jan. 22, 2003

ABILENE, Texas -

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Hardin-Simmons women's basketball team will look to extend its home winning streak and move into first-place alone in the American Southwest Conference West Division by the end of the week. The Cowgirls will play two of the better teams in the ASC West this week with Sul Ross State and Howard Payne coming to town. The Yellowjackets are the last team to beat the Cowgirls in the regular season.

About Sul Ross State

David Tandy's Sul Ross State Lobos are led by talented junior forward April Ramierez. She averages 16.8 points and 11.1 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 3.85 steals per game. The Lobos have won four of their last five games yo up their season record to 9-5. They are just 2-4 on the road, but are 7-1 in Alpine. The Cowgirls have won 10 in a row against the Lady Lobos and are 28-5 all-time against SRSU. They have lost to Sul Ross just one time at home.

About Howard Payne

The Lady Yellowjackets currently own a half-game lead over the Cowgirls in the American Southwest Conference West Division. The Cowgirls will be looking to avenge their last regular-season loss, which was to the Yellowjackets, 74-66 last season in Brownwood. HPU has three players that lead a balanced attack. Kristy Lyons (12.6), Nichole Salzman (11.0) and Rachel Offineer (10.0) each average double figures. The Jackets have nine players that average double figure minutes. Chris Kielsmeier's squad shoots 40.5 percent from the field and 66 percent at the line. The Jackets are outrebounding their opponents by seven boards per game.

Stats and Trends

The Cowgirls are giving up only 57.3 points per game in conference play ... HSU is hitting 70 percent from the line in ASC West games and are 76 percent over the last five games ... The Cowgirls are shooting 44 percent from 3-point range in conference action and are making almost seven 3-pointers per game.