The Howard Payne women’s basketball team is the 2011 American Southwest Conference Champions after an 83-69 win over No. 14 Louisiana College in the championship game Sunday afternoon at the Brownwood Coliseum.

Their win earns them an automatic bid into the NCAA Div. III Women’s Basketball Championship Tournament. Their opponent will be announced at 2:00 p.m. Monday on NCAA.com.

Brittany Roberson was named the ASC tournament Most Valuable Player.  Jasmin Thomas and Sarah Pfeister joined her on the ASC All-Tournament team. Louisiana College’s Roslyn Wilmer and Tillisha Givens were also All-Tournament selections.

The Lady Jackets started the game with a 21-4 run in the first five minutes of the game, fueled by six straight three point baskets to start game. After that, the Lady Wildcats never came within 12 points of the Lady Jacket lead.

For the rest of the game, HPU continued to shoot hot, going 29 for 51 from the field, for 57 percent. From three point range, they were 12 of 29.

Howard Payne had four women with double digit points, including Roberson with 18, Clarissa Krum with 15, Tiffany Warner with 12, and Jasmin Thomas with 11. Krum completed a double-double with 13 rebounds. Sarah Pfiester added four blocks.

Louisiana College’s leading scorer was Roslyn Wilmer with 22 points and Tillisha Givens had 20.

The Lady Jackets have won four out of the last five ASC women’s basketball championships, and are NCAA tournament bound for the sixth time in seven years. The HPU women also own the highest winning percentage in the ASC tournament winning 18 of 22 games (82 percent). They also tie Hardin-Simmons for the most tournament wins with 18.

Howard Payne now has a 21-7 record for the year and finished 15-6 in the conference. Louisiana College finishes 24-3 overall and 18-2 in ASC play.

Photo: Jasmin Thomas and teammates celebrate another ASC Championship for the Lady Jackets.  Photo by HPU Sports Information.