ABILENE – In their second meeting of the season, and with first place in the American Southwest Conference West Division on the line, the No. 9 Hardin-Simmons Cowgirls again handled the Howard Payne Lady Jackets, 67-48.

The first tilt between the two was a non-conference outing won by Hardin-Simmons, 81-62, in Abilene on Dec. 5.

Postponed from Feb. 13 due to winter weather, the second outing brought an end to the Lady Jackets’ (7-5, 4-2) four-game win streak while Hardin-Simmons (13-3, 8-2) notched its eighth victory in a row.

Howard Payne sank just 25 percent (15 of 61) of its field goal attempts, 17 percent (4 of 23) of its three-pointers, and 54 percent (14 of 26) of its free throws. The Lady Jackets were also outrebounded 52-44.

Bria Neal and Lily Janek finished in double figures for HPU with 16 and 13 points, respectively. Mallory Garcia and Catlyn Ward added four points apiece, Chelsey Harris, Kayla Brigance and Amanda Turpin chipped in three points each, and ASC West Player of the Week Salina Ali was limited to two points.

Hardin-Simmons hit 38 percent (23 of 60) of its shots, 29 percent of its treys (7 of 24), and 54 percent (14 of 26) of its free throws.

Brittany Schnabel paced the Cowgirls with 18 points followed by Samantha Tatum with 13, Kaitlyn Ellis with 12, and Parris Parmer with 11.

The Lady Jackets will travel to Sul Ross (7-11, 5-4) at 5:30 p.m. Thursday.

***

Hardin-Simmons 99, Yellow Jackets 57

ABILENE – The Howard Payne Yellow Jackets remained winless on the season Monday night, falling to the American Southwest Conference West Division rival Hardin-Simmons Cowboys, 99-57.

The Yellow Jackets (0-15, 0-11) trailed Hardin-Simmons (13-5, 8-3) by a 50-24 count at halftime and were outscored 49-33 over the final 20 minutes.

Howard Payne shot 31 percent (21 of 68) from the floor, 19 percent (6 of 31) from the three-point arc, and 60 percent (9 of 15) from the free throw line. The Yellow Jackets committed 21 turnovers while forcing just 10, and were outrebounded 48-43.

Tyrell Thompson led HPU with 14 points trailed by Michael House with 10, Jaylan Ballou with nine, Jerren Godfrey with eight, James Helzer with six, Isiah Thomas with five, Reese Ridder with three and Harold Myart with two.

Hardin-Simmons knocked down 50 percent of its shots (38 of 76) as seven Cowboys finished in double figures – Kyle Brennon with 13; Steven Quinn, Kannon Jones, and Jackson Robinson each with 12; and Aidan Walsh, Neal Chambliss and Jordyn Vicente with 10 apiece.

The Yellow Jackets will venture to Sul Ross (8-9, 6-6) at 7:30 p.m. Thursday.