March 1, 2008

Final Stats

TYLER, Texas - Despite a school-record tying 38 points from freshman Lindsey Newcombe, Hardin-Simmons' women's basketball team fell 83-67 to Howard Payne in the semifinals of the American Southwest Conference Tournament in Tyler on Saturday afternoon.

The Cowgirls squared off toe-to-toe with the Yellowjackets in the first half and trailed 33-32 with :45 to play, but HPU All-American Meia Daniels hit a 3-pointer with :25 to play in the half and then got a steal and was fouled and hit two free throws to give HPU a 38-32 halftime lead.

Newcombe had 18 of her points in the first half for the Cowgirls. She scored 20 in the second half to tie Kendra Anderson for the school single-game record with 38. She also had 12 rebounds. Shelby Hodges had 11 points and nine rebounds in what could be her final game as a Cowgirl.

HSU trailed 52-46 with 12:45 to play, but HPU pulled away with an 8-2 run to make it 60-48 and the Jackets were able to hold on down the stretch.

HPU was led by its talented trio of seniors. Meia Daniels had 26 points, Kim Hoffman had 23 points and Stacey Blalock had 18.

The Cowgirls fell to 21-6 on the year and HPU improved to 27-0. HPU will play McMurry in the finals of the tournament on Sunday. Those two teams have met in the finals the last four seasons with Howard Payne winning two.

HSU could still receive an at-large bid into the NCAA Tournament when the selections are made on Monday.