GEORGETOWN – The Howard Payne University women’s basketball team, lost the first game of the season 64-56 to Southwestern University Saturday afternoon.

Chelsey Harris led Howard Payne with a game-high 19 points. Elaina Buchanan had a game-high 15 rebounds.

The Lady Jackets got off to a rocky start, trailing the Pirates 32-21 at the half.

HPU’s struggles continued into the third quarter. The Pirates outscored the Jackets 18-16 to take the 13 point lead.

The Lady Jackets outrebounded the Pirates 58 to 45. Additionally, the Lady Jacket defense stole the ball away 11 times.

The Lady Jackets got within six points of the pirates and outscored them 19-14 in the fourth quarter. However, their efforts came up just short, dropping the first game of the season 64-56.

The Lady Jackets will play University of the Ozarks in their first home game of the season on Thursday, Nov. 11th, in the Brownwood Coliseum at 5:30 PM.

[Story courtesy of HPUSports.com]