SHERMAN, Texas - Sarah Gwin nearly notched a triple-double and Sarah Putnicki matched career highs with 20 points and 12 rebounds as Austin College cruised past visiting Howard Payne University 62-33 on Tuesday evening in Hughey Gym. The 'Roos are now 1-15 overall on the year with the victory.

The 'Roos raced out to an 18-7 first quarter lead and never looked back, eventually leading 34-17 at halftime over the Jackets to notch their first victory of the season. Gwin hit 5-of-12 shots overall and 2-of-4 from long distance to get her 16 points, and had her third consecutive game of at least nine assists to lead Austin College while also coming away with four steals. Putnicki scored 10 points in both halves on her way to 20, knocking down 7-of-15 shots from the field, and also swatted four shots on the defensive end.

Austin College limited Howard Payne to just 22.4% shooting from the field, including 3-of-22 from beyond the arc, and the Jackets made only 4-of-14 free throw attempts. The 'Roos grabbed 51 rebounds, with four starters each pulling down at least eight boards in the win. Along with 12 from Putnicki and nine from Gwin, Megan O'Neil and Naomi Anamekwe each had eight rebounds. Grace Moothart came off the bench to hit 4-of-6 triples for Austin College, finishing with 12 points and moving into the top spot in the SCAC three point percentage rankings on the year, boosting her season clip to 50%. Catlyn Ward and Trynadee Greenwell each scored nine points to lead Howard Payne, while Bria Neal had 10 rebounds for the Jackets.

Austin College is off until next weekend, when they head to Georgetown to take on Southwestern in SCAC play on January 20.