Morgan Kilgore scored 23 points for University of Texas-Dallas as the Comets defeated Howard Payne University 60-54 in game six of the 2013 American Southwest Conference women’s basketball tournament at the Brownwood Coliseum Saturday.

In the first half, HPU started out outscoring the Comets 10-6 with 14:38 on the clock. UTD then went on an 11-0 run to lead 17-10 with 9:05 remaining.  The Lady Jackets would answer with an 11-1 run to lead 21-18 with 5:08 to play. Both teams then ended the half trading baskets as Howard Payne led 29-25 at intermission.

The Comets started out the second half on a 14-5 run to lead 39-34 with 16:51 left in the game.  HPU would answer with an 11-6 run to tie the game at 45-45 with 11:02 remaining.  The teams would be tied up three more times over the next five minutes resulting in a 50-50 tie with 6:31 on the clock.  UTD outscore the Lady Jackets 10-4 from that point on to end the game in front 60-54.

The Comets shot 40% from the field while holding Howard Payne to 27%.

Tresta Donahoo led HPU with 14 points, while Breanna Conway and McKinley Meyer each finished with 12 points. Danyel Bradley led the Lady Jackets with 9 rebounds.

In addition to Kilgore, Kellie Loukanis scored 15 points.

Howard Payne now stands at 22-5 overall and UTD is at 19-8 overall. Next the Lady Jackets hope to secure an NCAA national tournament bid, await the official release of the bracket Monday afternoon