McDonald's Career Day Leads 'Roos Past Jackets

SHERMAN, Texas - The Austin College women's basketball team jumped out to a big lead early but needed to hold off Howard Payne down the stretch, and Raylee McDonald had a career game with 19 points, 12 rebounds, and six assists to help the 'Roos to a 73-68 victory on Tuesday afternoon in Hughey Gym. The 'Roos are now 3-1 on the year.

After a slow start for both teams, the 'Roos stormed out to a big early lead and wrapped up the opening quarter with an 18-6 edge, limiting Howard Payne to just 3-of-17 shooting in the first 10 minutes of action. The 'Roos got eight points from McDonald in the first quarter, as the sophomore forward knocked down 4-of-6 attempts to help Austin College build a big lead, and Grace Moothart buried 2-of-3 from long range in the period. The Jackets started getting things going offensively in the second quarter, however, making 9-of-17 shots and turning the 'Roos over nine times in the quarter to close the gap to 35-29 at halftime.

Howard Payne carried the second quarter momentum over into the third, taking their first lead of the game at 40-39 on a free throw by Madison Clay, and a triple from Caitlyn Panuco put the Jackets on top 44-41 with 6:07 left in the game. Austin College reclaimed the lead in the final minutes of the frame, but a foul shot by Lexie Edwards sent the Jackets into the fourth quarter clinging to a 53-52 advantage. The margin grew to 59-54 on a basket by Clay with 7:25 left, but Austin College battled back and a bucket by Brooklyn Matthews put the 'Roos back on top 60-59 with 5:39 to play.

After HPU went back on top 64-62, Moothart buried a triple to give the lead back to the 'Roos. The Jackets kept things tight and stayed within a point at 69-68 following a Jazlyn Braithwaite basket with 1:16 left, but McDonald knocked down a jumper with 54 seconds left to give Austin College a 71-68 cushion and the 'Roos would manage to hold on from there in the game's final moments.

McDonald made 9-of-15 shots to get her 19 points, and Lexi Martin hit 6-of-11 shots overall and 5-of-8 from deep to chip in 18 points. Avory Miller added 11 points, 12 rebounds, and four assists, and Matthews had 10 points, eight boards, three assists, and three blocks. Moothart finished with nine points, four assists, and four steals. Braithwaite had 20 points and six steals for HPU, and Taysie Trejo scored 18 points and had seven rebounds and seven steals.