Austin College Falls to HPU in Overtime

SHERMAN, Texas - The Austin College women's basketball team led by as many as 10 points in the fourth quarter, but Howard Payne battled back to force overtime and the Jackets would end up handing the 'Roos a 65-62 defeat on Saturday evening in Hughey Gym. The 'Roos are now 1-5 overall on the year.

The 'Roos got out to a hot start to open the game, opening up an early 9-3 lead, but Howard Payne used a 16-2 run to surge ahead 19-11 before Kacie West knocked down a three to end the first quarter and make it a 19-14 game. The 'Roos battled back in the second quarter and eventually took the lead on a Hali Bailey triple to make it 25-24, but HPU's Chelsey Harris answered with a trey to put the Jackets back on top 27-25 with under two minutes left before halftime. A pair of Natalie McCoy free throws with 2.4 seconds left would send Austin College into the locker room holding a slim 28-27 lead.

Sarah Gwin knocked down a pair of threes late in the third quarter to push Austin College's lead to 46-37, and the 'Roos would head into the fourth quarter leading 49-45. A bucket by Katy Pool gave Austin College it's largest lead of the game at 55-45 with 7:43 left, but the 'Roos would go scoreless for nearly seven minutes until a free throw by McCoy squared things up at 56 with 1:03 left to play. Gwin hit a midrange jumper to put Austin College ahead 58-56 with 31 seconds left, but HPU's Elaina Buchanan knocked down two free throws, including banking in the second attempt, with six seconds left to force overtime.

Gwin hit another jumper to put Austin College ahead 60-58, and after HPU scored four in a row, McCoy put in a driving layup to knot things at 62 apiece. However, that would be the last bucket of the game for Austin College, as the 'Roos were unable to get any more points over the games final 120 seconds. Bria Neal's two free throws with 25 seconds left iced it for Howard Payne, making it a 65-62 final.

Gwin scored 17 to lead Austin College, and McCoy added 11 points, eight rebounds, and four assists. Naomi Anamekwe scored 10 points and pulled down eight boards. Neal led Howard Payne with 26 points and 17 rebounds, and Buchanan grabbed 21 boards for the Jackets.

Austin College gets into SCAC action on Friday when they host Trinity University.