Boxscore

BROWNWOOD, Texas — In a game of runs, Hardin-Simmons had the last big one and they executed down the stretch to beat arch-rival Howard Payne 75-69 in American Southwest Conference action at the Brownwood Coliseum on Thursday evening.

Howard Payne jumped out to an early 27-20 with 8:31 to play in the first half, but HSU stiffened up the defense and closed the first on a 17-3 to take a 37-30 halftime lead. Cowgirl junior post Lindsey Newcombe had 18 points in the first half.

In the second half, Howard Payne came out and went on a 15-4 run to take a 48-41 lead with 12:!6 to play. The Cowgirl deficit was eight at 58-50 with 7:52 to play. From then on it was all Cowgirls.

Whitney Enis hit a 3-pointer with 6:44 to play, then Angela Newcombe and Lindsey Newcombe each had layups to cut the deficit to 58-57. The game went back and forth the rest of the way and HPU retook the lead at 66-65 on a Hope Hohertz 3-pointer.

Lindsey Newcombe hit a jumper with 2:22 to play to give the Cowgirls the lead for good. Angela Newcombe hit a 3-pointer to make it 69-65 and HSU went 4-for-4 down the stretch at the free throw line.

Lindsey Newcombe had 33 points and 13 rebounds for the Cowgirls. Angela Newcombe had 13 points, eight rebounds and six rebounds. Katy Sarem led Howard Payne with 20.

HSU is now 8-7 on the year and 5-6 in ASC action. HPU dropped its second straight game and fell to 12-4 overall and 8-4 in league play. The Cowgirls will return to action on Saturday at Sul Ross State.

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