The Howard Payne University women’s basketball team held a double-digit second-half lead but fell 54-51 to the University of St. Thomas Saturday afternoon.

Howard Payne held a 34-20 lead with 2:50 remaining in the third quarter but St Thomas finished the period with a 10-2 run.

The Celts continued their hot shooting through the fourth outscoring the Lady Jackets 24-15 on 58% shooting in the fourth quarter.

Howard Payne would have a couple of opportunities in the closing seconds to take the lead or tie the game but came up short.

Trynadee Greenwell led HPU with 10 points and six rebounds. Anna Beamesderfer had nine points and Jazlyn Braithwaite added eight points.

Kiara Green finished with six rebounds, five assists, and four steals. Braithwaite also grabbed eight rebounds.

St. Thomas was led by Hayden Morin with 13 points and Nia McGee with 12 points and eight rebounds.

Howard Payne now stands at 4-1 overall and St Thomas improved to 1-5 on the season. The Lady Jackets will take on Schreiner University on Sunday at 12:00 noon on day two of the St. Thomas Tournament.