Women's Hoops Completes Season Sweep of HPU

BROWNWOOD, Texas - The Austin College women's basketball team picked up its second win of the year over Howard Payne and improved to 4-1 overall on Friday evening, topping the Jackets 67-53 in a non-conference matchup.

Raylee McDonald had 16 points to lead Austin College, hitting 7-of-14 shots, and added four rebounds in the win while Taiyla Williams came off the bench to score 12 points on 3-of-3 shooting, including 2-of-2 from deep. She also made all four of her free throw attempts. Avory Miller chipped in 10 points, four rebounds, four steals, and three assists, and Grace Moothart and Lexi Martin each dished out a team-best four assists.

Austin College trailed 18-12 after the opening quarter but took control from there, dominating the second period 16-4 to head into halftime leading 28-22, and they'd maintain a 41-36 lead through three quarters. The 'Roos poured in 26 points in the final frame to secure the win. Austin College forced HPU into 20 turnovers while only giving it away eight times themselves, and also outscored the Jackets 12-to-7 from the free throw line while making 9-of-23 threes, compared to 6-of-22 for HPU. Kiana Henning led Howard Payne with 16 points.

The 'Roos will be back in action on Saturday against No. 18-ranked Hardin Simmons University in another non-conference road game, with tipoff scheduled for 4:00 p.m.