BROWNWOOD, Texas – The University of Mary Hardin-Baylor women's basketball team defeated Howard Payne University 80-62 Thursday evening in Brownwood. The Cru improved to 19-2 on the season and 16-0 in the American Southwest Conference while the Yellow Jackets fell to 4-18 overall and 2-15 in league play.
 
The contest began with answered baskets behind the arc and proceeded on with back-and-forth play. The Yellow Jackets used a five-point run at the 5:56 mark to establish a four-point lead. In the final two seconds of the first quarter, Alexia Martin hit a three-pointer to bring Howard Payne's advantage down to three. Ashley Faux kicked off the second quarter with three quick points to knot-up the competition, 18-18. At the 8:24 mark, Aja Holmes sparked a nine-point run with a layup-and-one. UMHB used another five-point run in the final three minutes to go into the half up 36-29.
 
The Cru opened the second half with an eight-point run claiming a 15-point lead. At the 5:05 mark, Kasey Jo Hinton hit back-to-back baskets behind the arc to give UMHB a 22-point lead. The Yellow Jackets used a five-point run in the last two minutes of the third to lessen the advantage to 16. The fourth quarter continued in even play as Howard Payne tried to fight back. The Cru held on to their lead, not letting it drop below 15. UMHB claimed the 80-62 over the Yellow Jackets.
 
Faux led the Cru with 20 points while Kaitlyn Kollmorgen added 10. Defensively, UMHB was led by Olivia Champion with four blocks and Faux with three steals. The Cru totaled 41 rebounds with Martin adding six.  
 
UMHB returns to action on Saturday, February 12th in contest against Sul Ross State University in Alpine.