RICHARDSON, Texas – The Howard Payne University women’s basketball team dropped their conference opener 87-68 to the University of Texas at Dallas Saturday afternoon.

Howard Payne managed just 35% shooting in the game, 25% from behind the arc and 59% from the free-throw line.

UT-Dallas used a 16-2 run five minutes into the game to open up a 20-10 lead with 9:46 left to play in the first.

After holding a 36-29 halftime lead, UTD extended their lead to 14 points with 11 minutes to play. The Lady Jackets then made a push to bring the score to within four. A jumper by HPU’s April Neal with 6:22 to play brought the score to 64-60 UTD.
UT-Dallas then outscored HPU 23-7 in the final minutes to defeat the Lady Jackets 87-68.

Howard Payne was led by Brittany Roberson with 18 points along with six rebounds and four assists. Katy Sarem followed with 13 points.

Tarneisha Scott of UTD led all scorers with 35 points and 12 rebounds. Tawni Ichimura and Lyndsey Smith added 18 and 16 points respectively.

Howard Payne falls to 2-1 overall and 0-1 in ASC play and UTD stands at 4-0 overall and 2-0 in ASC action.

Howard Payne will play next on Monday at the University of the Ozarks in Clarksville, Ark, tipoff will be at 5:30 pm.